U.S. consulate issues warning to its citizens

This message from the Munich Consulate with the request to advise as many Americans as possible:

June 24, 2008 Warden Message

On Wednesday evening, June 25, Germany and Turkey will meet in the semifinal round of the 2008 European Football Championship in Basel, Switzerland. Various cities in Germany have set up viewing areas for the public to watch the live broadcast of this game. The "Fan Mile" in front of the Brandenberg Gate in Berlin is expected to draw up to 500,000 German and Turkish fans, Frankfurt am Main will host a public viewing area at the Rossmarkt, and Munich is setting up a large public viewing area at the Olympic Stadium where 30,000 fans are anticipated. Similar events are planned in other cities and spontaneous celebrations or demonstrations related to the match may occur throughout Germany.

Because of the high fan interest in this prestigious semi-final elimination game between Germany and Turkey, there exists the possibility that disturbances, including violent disturbances may occur before, during or after the match, which begins at 20:45. At a minimum, post-game celebrations will likely result in traffic congestion in larger cities. Crowds celebrating previous German and/or Turkish victories have blocked streets and rocked vehicles attempting to pass through them.

We remind American citizens in Germany that even mass gatherings and demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. American citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations if possible, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations. American citizens should stay current with media coverage of local events and be aware of their surroundings at all times.

Americans in Germany are encouraged to register with the U.S. Embassy in Berlin, or at either the Munich or Frankfurt Consulate, through the State Department’s travel registration web site, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Germany. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consular Section. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, Worldwide Caution, and Country Specific Information for Germany can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

They are forgetting that it is not American police here.
Thinking of the last time I was at a street party in the states and it was actually the police who caused the riot by trying to break up the party and how that was in stark contrast to 1990 and the police just watching the crowds having fun on the streets.
And, yes, I am staying home wednesday.

Where can I buy duct tape in Munich?

Wonderful. The American consulate, specialist subject: The bleedin obvious!

My local baumarkt has duct tape. You can check there.

Can you lend me a stolen bicycle to get there?

Will UN peacekeeping troops be deployed? Crisis intervention team? Or will the US conduct a military operation to bomb the ball into the Turkish goal? Gotta make sure those Turkish-islamic-fundamentalist-Al-Kaeda terrorists don't run off with the trophy.

I am surprised my title change has survived so many hours .

America - keeping its citizens scared and proud of it

I was tempted to edit it twice, but my government has scared me too much from questioning authority.

I'm not scared. I dun it. <Looks over shoulder>

This is more or less the boilerplate warning given by US embassies and consulates, although it's normally within the context of political rallies/demonstrations.

Are we at red alert yet? Or does that not come until the Russians take the field?

And if some American TTer get's into an incident at Cennet with Alimess it will actually be a terrorist incident requiring an invasion of a neighboring country. Like France.

Ok, I was too lazy to link to her security and pepper spray post.

Duh. I was talking to a Turkish bar owner in Frankfurt last week who flat out said he'd be closed if Turkey and Germany faced each other. He didn't want his bar trashed or any of his regulars to get hurt. And yes they have blocked off major streets after recent matches and rocked cars so I'd say the State dept message is just saying it like it is.

I, for one, will be staying home. I've lived here a long time, and I know there really isn't a lot of love lost between the Turks and the Germans. They're just two cultures that don't mix all that well. Scare mongering or not, I'd say it's sound advice.

I thought alimess was a Brit, if so invade! You may have a fight on your hands.

Oh you are quite right. I was talking to this bloke down the pub last night who knows this girl who once met Bill Clinton who is going out with this guy who travelled to Germany once and he said they are expecting World War 3 to break out and that the Consulate had already drawn up evactuation procedures for all citizens residing within the German borders. Apparently you have about 24 hours to leave or face annihaliation. Sheesh

I can direct you all to the bus station if you want, my pleasure.

OH. And I meant annihalation and NOT annihaliation as stated in my post. Been listening to a little too much George Bush lately and it seems to have affected my ability to speak english.

Quite!

Kay, Kay, Kay... Let loose, it is after hours.

Whats the status now...DEFCON 2?

EdBob is on the payroll...
Why coudn´t we have our title the way we wanted it? It is our counrty!

At least I could insert my American left-wing, politically correct, fem-naz, gender-neutral title change.

I lay odds now that there will be scattered fist-fights, but no riots.

When it is hot and muggy, people are usually more pissed up and off and ready to rumble. Rain rain, don't go away, my sanity needs to survive today...

America-home of the free and land of the bitter.

..

That is just the expats who erroneously feel oh so superior and are dillusional.

So did anyone see any violence out and about in Munich last night? Me and some friends were at the Chinese Tower. Had to walk through Leopoldstr. after the match which was rammed but didn't see any trouble breaking out.

Yep, two Germans pushed in front of me at the bus queue. I'm still shaking.

You're joking, right?

Europe after a soccer match certainly is more dangerous than NYC above 110th street or downtown Oakland.
Well the department of home security issued just another BS statement.
LMAO

It was a nighmare!

Has anyone sent that link yet to the U.S. Consulate?

A bit more fun: US Embassy To Yanks: Be Wary of Soccer-Crazed Germans

Good one!

Nice.

I like how that article even includes a Homer Simpson quote, just in case anyone wasn't taking the whole thing seriously...

Seems like a global warning to American citizens going to third World Countries (i.e. any other country than United States...)

Except Canada maybe...

We have such an undeserved reputation.