Demonstration Message for U.S. Citizens: Multiple Demonstrations on March 8, 2015

The U.S. Embassy in Chisinau informs U.S. citizens in Moldova that there are three separate demonstrations planned for Sunday, 8 March 2015 in the center of Chisinau.

From 11:00-14:00, a protest/march will take place beginning at the Opera and Ballet Theatre Square.  The protest will march on Stefan cel Mare Blvd. to the Academy of Science square.  The number of participants is expected to be 300 people.

From 12:00-16:00, a protest is planned to take place on the Main Square.  This protest is organized by the civil activists: Victor Neaga, Oleg Andreev and Adrian Loghin.  Their slogan is “We Want Our Country Back”.  The number of participants is expected to be 1000 persons.

From 12:00-16:00, a march/protest will take place on Stefan cel Mare Blvd.  This march will start at the Academy of Science Square and end at the Opera and Ballet Theatre square.  This protest will be for women’s equality.  The number of participants is expected to be 150.

The Embassy reminds U.S. citizens that demonstrations and large events intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational.  Avoid areas of demonstrations, and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations.  Large public gatherings can affect all major incoming arteries to the city in which they occur.  Demonstrations in one city have the potential to lead to additional public rallies or demonstrations in other locations around the city and country.

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Moldova to enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).  STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency.  If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Regularly monitor the State Department’s website, where you can find current information on the situation in Moldova, neighboring Ukraine, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, the Worldwide Caution, and the Country Specific Information for Moldova.  For additional information, refer to “Traveler’s Checklist.”

Contact the U.S. embassy for up-to-date information on travel restrictions.  You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free from within the United States and Canada, or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).  Follow us on Twitter and Facebook, to have travel information at your fingertips.

The U.S. Embassy in Chisinau is located at 103 Mateevici St., Chisinau, Moldova, tel (373-22) 408-300.  If you are a U.S. citizen in need of urgent assistance, the emergency number for the U.S. Embassy is (373-22) 237-345/408-445.