Washington has issued a travel
alert for Americans who live in Toronto or plan to visit
the city during the G20 summit.
“Previous G20 summits have drawn large numbers of protesters and
activists, and a number of groups have announced plans to demonstrate
throughout downtown Toronto,”
the U.S. State Department warned in its alert. “Even demonstrations that are
meant to be peaceful can become violent and unpredictable. You should avoid
them if at all possible.”
The alert also advises U.S.
citizens forego travelling in or through downtown Toronto during the summit, anticipating
“significant traffic disruption.”
The leaders of the world's G20 countries will descend on Toronto for the June 26-27
summit and security is tight.
Protests and rallies are expected to begin the week leading up to
the summit.
On June 26, thousands are expected to turn out the People First! march,
but organizers have vowed that the event will be a peaceful, family affair.
However, protest organizers have confirmed that numerous activists and labour
union members plan to splinter from the larger demonstration and continue a “militant”
march to the security perimeter.
Washington
says the travel alert expires June 28.
Canada
is now on a rather exclusive list of travel alerts, which only includes six
countries and regions. Among them is Jamaica,
where the capital city has become the battlefield between government forces and
gangs, who are protecting a fugitive drug lord from being extradited on U.S. drug- and
arms-trafficking charges.
Also on the list is South Africa
during the World Cup, where the State Department warns U.S. citizens could be exposed to
terrorism, crime and public health risks.
Alerts are based on short-term conditions that could be dangerous
to U.S.
citizens, such natural disasters, election-related violence or high-profile events
expected to draw massive crowds.
Why not issue a ttravel alert for the US citizens? I livein Toronto and I have been issued a travel alert for the last two months! besided they are in a recession and they have no money to pay for expensive hotel stays in toronto...$495 a nith at King and bathurst come on! I wouldn't travel in Toronto eit=her! Wait till August they will come for caribana!!
Posted by: Margaret Morana | 06/18/2010 at 11:40 AM