The Muslim Brotherhood-led National Alliance to Support Legitimacy (NASL) has announced plans to hold demonstrations on Wednesday, March 26. NASL has indicated it intends to protest in Tahrir, Raba’a al-Adawiya (Nasr City), and Nahda (Giza near Cairo University) squares. Pockets of protest activity and marches may appear in other areas of Cairo and throughout the country as well. The recent trials and judicial verdicts of death sentences of hundreds of MB protestors and other activists may heighten tensions around these potential demonstrations. In addition, the pending announcement of Presidential candidates could further escalate tensions in the coming days.
U.S. Citizens should closely monitor developments and scrutinize their movements through the weekend, avoiding traditional assembly areas as well as universities where violence has often occurred and extended beyond campus areas. If you encounter a gathering, do not attempt to drive or walk through it; initiate immediate measures to avoid and navigate around it. Recent incidents continue to demonstrate that police and military personnel and facilities, such as checkpoints, remain targets and could therefore present a risk to those around them.
As a matter of general practice, U.S. citizens should avoid areas where large gatherings may occur. Even demonstrations or events intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and quickly escalate into violence. U.S. citizens in Egypt are urged to monitor local news reports and to plan their activities accordingly.