The US Embassy in Oslo was warning US citizens to stay away from certain areas in the Frogner area of the Norwegian capital on Saturday, because of a planned demonstration in the early afternoon.
Embassy officials, in what they called an “emergency message to American Citizens” sent to those registered with the embassy, said they’d been advised by Norwegian authorities that a demonstration by SIAN (Stopp Islamiseringen av Norge, Stop the Islamization of Norway) was scheduled for Saturday November 19 between 1pm and 2pm near the Egyptian Embassy at Drammensveien 90. The Iranian Embassy is just across the street.
The embassy reported that “police expect the demonstration to be small” and that it wouldn’t target US citizens or interests. It could lead, however, to “a much larger counter-demonstration,” wrote embassy officials, that “could provoke confrontations and lead to disruptions” extending to the area near the US Embassy, at the corner of Parkveien and Henrik Ibsens Gate.
“Even demonstrations meant to be peaceful can become violent and unpredictable,” stated the embassy message. It was “strongly advised” that US citizens “avoid these areas at these times and exercise caution anywhere south of Frogner Park.”
Views and News staff
