The U.S. Embassy in Moscow informs U.S. citizens that prominent political opposition leader Aleksey Navalny plans to lead a protest rally on Sunday, September 20. The protest could involve 40,000 participants at 1700 hours in the Maryino area of Moscow. A large security presence is expected to be on site to monitor the demonstration.
The last protest organized by supporters of Aleksey Navalny on December 30, 2014 was followed by some arrests and limited violence. Mr. Navalny’s supporters organized a spontaneous, non-government sanctioned protest near Red Square that same evening that resulted in additional arrests.
All U.S. citizens are strongly urged to be aware of their surroundings and take appropriate measures if planning to be in the vicinity of protest site in Maryino and the immediate surrounding area beginning at 14:00 and for the remainder of the day. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence. Avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place and exercise caution when in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests, or demonstrations.
The nearest metro station in that area is Bratislavskaya on the Green line. Ridership likely will increase during the afternoon and evening on that line.
For more information:
- See the State Department’s travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country-Specific Information Sheet for the Russian Federation.
- Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
- Contact the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, located at 21 Novinsky Blvd. in Moscow, at +7 (495) 728-5577, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. weekdays or by e-mail at moscowwarden@state.gov or visit the Embassy website at https://ru.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/. After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is +7 (495) 728 5000 after 6:00 p.m. and on weekends and holidays.
- Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
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