Protest

11
May 2024
6:59 UTC

Americas Tactical (UPDATE): Pro-Palestinian protests planned in multiple cities regionwide on May 11-15; maintain heightened vigilance

Current Situation

  • According to reports, pro-Palestinian protests demanding a ceasefire amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict are slated in Canada, Mexico, Uruguay and the USA on May 11-15. 
  • Details regarding the protest locations and timings can be found below: 
    • In Canada, protests will be held in the following cities: 
      • In Montreal, QC, a protest is scheduled to be held in front of the Israeli Consulate from 14:00 on (local time) on May 11. 
      • In Toronto, ON, a protest is slated at the US Consulate from 14:00 on May 11. 
    • Meanwhile, students, faculty and staff from Canadian universities are slated to hold a nationwide strike to support the pro-Palestinian encampments on May 13. Further details on timings and associated protests remain unconfirmed as of writing. 
    • In Mexico, a protest is slated at the Plaza de Armas in Morelia, Michoacan from 17:00 on May 11. 
    • In Uruguay, a protest march is scheduled at the Explanada of the Mayor’s Office in Montevideo from 18:30 on May 15. 
    • In the USA, protests are scheduled as follows: 
      • In Atlanta, GA, a protest is slated at the John Wesley Dobbs Plaza from 15:00 on May 11. 
      • In Chicago, IL, a protest is scheduled to be held at the Water Town Place from 11:30 on May 12. 
      • In Minneapolis, MN, a protest is slated to be held at Powderhorn Park from 14:00 on May 12. 
      • In New York City, NY, a protest is scheduled at the intersection of Steinway Street and Astoria Boulevard in Queens from 17:00 on May 15. 
      • In Philadelphia, PA, a protest is scheduled at Fitler Square from 10:00 on May 12. 
      • In Saint Louis, MO, a protest is slated at Art Hill from 15:00 on May 11. 
      • In Salt Lake, UT, a protest is slated to be held at Washington Square Park from 13:00 on May 11. 
      • In San Francisco, CA, protests are scheduled at One Ferry Plaza from 12:30 on May 11 and the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center from 11:30 on May 12. 
      • In Seattle, WA, a protest is slated at Westlake Park from 14:00 on May 11. 

Assessments & Forecast

  1. Based on pro-Palestinian protests held in recent weeks and social media estimates, the upcoming demonstrations are expected to witness varying turnouts ranging from high dozens-to-high hundreds each. The protests in Chicago, Montreal, New York City, and Toronto are expected to draw the highest attendance between the mid-to-high hundreds. 
  2. Based on precedent, the protests in Mexico and Uruguay are likely to transpire peacefully. Conversely, protests in Canada and the USA carry a credible potential for an escalation into localized unrest, roadblocks and scuffles between protesters, and security personnel. This is also likely given that protests in Montreal and Toronto are slated near US and Israeli consulates. 
  3. Considering the heightened sentiments over the conflict, particularly over the student encampments in Canadian and US universities and subsequent police action, ad-hoc counter-protests by pro-Israel activists witnessing a turnout in the high dozens-to-low hundreds can also be anticipated in the vicinity of the slated pro-Palestinian demonstrations.  
  4. As such, bolstered security measures are expected near all protest sites to monitor proceedings and divert traffic. Should protests escalate into localized unrest, authorities are anticipated to conduct arrests.   
  5. Isolated security incidents including verbal harassment and physical assaults against pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian activists are liable amid the protests. In addition, vandalism targeting Jewish establishments, largely in the form of spray painting the facades of such buildings with antisemitic symbols, as well as property damage, also remains possible near slated protest sites. 
  6. Additionally, significant disruptions to pedestrian and vehicular traffic can be anticipated in the vicinity of the aforementioned protest locations during the slated timings. 

Recommendations

  1. Those operating or residing in the aforementioned cities in Canada, Mexico, Uruguay and USA, on May 11-15 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance in the vicinity of planned and spontaneous pro-Palestinian protests due to the potential for localized unrest. 
  2. Allot for traffic disruptions in the vicinity of all protest locations.  
  3. Maintain heightened vigilance for potential security incidents near Israeli and US embassies, synagogues, mosques, and other Jewish entities regionwide. 
AFFECTED AREA Americas
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL Medium
STRENGTH OF SOURCE Credible

Current Situation

  • According to reports, pro-Palestinian protests demanding a ceasefire amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict are slated in Canada, Mexico, Uruguay and the USA on May 11-15. 
  • Details regarding the protest locations and timings can be found below: 
    • In Canada, protests will be held in the following cities: 
      • In Montreal, QC, a protest is scheduled to be held in front of the Israeli Consulate from 14:00 on (local time) on May 11. 
      • In Toronto, ON, a protest is slated at the US Consulate from 14:00 on May 11. 
    • Meanwhile, students, faculty and staff from Canadian universities are slated to hold a nationwide strike to support the pro-Palestinian encampments on May 13. Further details on timings and associated protests remain unconfirmed as of writing. 
    • In Mexico, a protest is slated at the Plaza de Armas in Morelia, Michoacan from 17:00 on May 11. 
    • In Uruguay, a protest march is scheduled at the Explanada of the Mayor’s Office in Montevideo from 18:30 on May 15. 
    • In the USA, protests are scheduled as follows: 
      • In Atlanta, GA, a protest is slated at the John Wesley Dobbs Plaza from 15:00 on May 11. 
      • In Chicago, IL, a protest is scheduled to be held at the Water Town Place from 11:30 on May 12. 
      • In Minneapolis, MN, a protest is slated to be held at Powderhorn Park from 14:00 on May 12. 
      • In New York City, NY, a protest is scheduled at the intersection of Steinway Street and Astoria Boulevard in Queens from 17:00 on May 15. 
      • In Philadelphia, PA, a protest is scheduled at Fitler Square from 10:00 on May 12. 
      • In Saint Louis, MO, a protest is slated at Art Hill from 15:00 on May 11. 
      • In Salt Lake, UT, a protest is slated to be held at Washington Square Park from 13:00 on May 11. 
      • In San Francisco, CA, protests are scheduled at One Ferry Plaza from 12:30 on May 11 and the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center from 11:30 on May 12. 
      • In Seattle, WA, a protest is slated at Westlake Park from 14:00 on May 11. 

Assessments & Forecast

  1. Based on pro-Palestinian protests held in recent weeks and social media estimates, the upcoming demonstrations are expected to witness varying turnouts ranging from high dozens-to-high hundreds each. The protests in Chicago, Montreal, New York City, and Toronto are expected to draw the highest attendance between the mid-to-high hundreds. 
  2. Based on precedent, the protests in Mexico and Uruguay are likely to transpire peacefully. Conversely, protests in Canada and the USA carry a credible potential for an escalation into localized unrest, roadblocks and scuffles between protesters, and security personnel. This is also likely given that protests in Montreal and Toronto are slated near US and Israeli consulates. 
  3. Considering the heightened sentiments over the conflict, particularly over the student encampments in Canadian and US universities and subsequent police action, ad-hoc counter-protests by pro-Israel activists witnessing a turnout in the high dozens-to-low hundreds can also be anticipated in the vicinity of the slated pro-Palestinian demonstrations.  
  4. As such, bolstered security measures are expected near all protest sites to monitor proceedings and divert traffic. Should protests escalate into localized unrest, authorities are anticipated to conduct arrests.   
  5. Isolated security incidents including verbal harassment and physical assaults against pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian activists are liable amid the protests. In addition, vandalism targeting Jewish establishments, largely in the form of spray painting the facades of such buildings with antisemitic symbols, as well as property damage, also remains possible near slated protest sites. 
  6. Additionally, significant disruptions to pedestrian and vehicular traffic can be anticipated in the vicinity of the aforementioned protest locations during the slated timings. 

Recommendations

  1. Those operating or residing in the aforementioned cities in Canada, Mexico, Uruguay and USA, on May 11-15 are advised to maintain heightened vigilance in the vicinity of planned and spontaneous pro-Palestinian protests due to the potential for localized unrest. 
  2. Allot for traffic disruptions in the vicinity of all protest locations.  
  3. Maintain heightened vigilance for potential security incidents near Israeli and US embassies, synagogues, mosques, and other Jewish entities regionwide. 
AFFECTED AREA Americas
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL Medium
STRENGTH OF SOURCE Credible

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