London Protests

The U.S. Embassy is on Grosvenor Square. Take a look at googlemaps so you know where it is and just don't walk down to that square. Have a great trip.

I understand the new season of Downton Abbey just began airing in the UK so the protests should die down by next week;) There are protests everyday in London involving one cause or another, most don't even make the news. London has a population of almost 9 million, your family will just be a speck:) Don't worry about it, and enjoy your trip to London.

Hatred of Americans has been a mantra in many other countries for years!! With the fanning of the flames via TV news, the internet and twitter, simply more people are now exposed to the harsh reality. At least there was coverage of the rioting as opposed to headlining what Lindsay Lohan, Kim Kardashian or Justin Bieber were doing. As advised stay away from the Embassy and enjoy London. A fabulous and ethnically diverse European city. One of the greatest on the planet.

Agree to stay from Embassy and would not cancel trip. Have been in Spain during a protest and also in Ireland, both times were students protesting something. In Barcelona saw riot police with what looked like Uzi machine guns, we thought at first was a movie but realized was a real protest. We simply walked the other way down Las Ramblas and had no problem. Contrary to what previous poster said, I am more interested in Jersey Shore people and what they are doing, LOL.

Really ? Just walk away from a crowd of protesters,, seriously I would go in your place in a heart beat, with kids too.. don't worry.
I actually have alot of thoughts, but none will help you , you need to realize protests will always happen, and all you need to do is avoid them. Also ,do not watch Fox news. Its pudding for the brain.

I'm leaving for London tomorrow. I expect little if any trouble along these lines. My only concern is that I might run into The Great Gorilla Run on Saturday.

London has 7,000,000 or so inhabitants. The two protests at the US Embassy had, at most, a couple of hundred people. You'll be fine. The protests were also peaceful.

If you see a crowd of people yelling slogans, walk the other way. Simple as that.

Tiffany, you'll be fine. Someone is always protesting something in the heart of London, just don't go near them!

Tiffany Heading over to the UK on Sunday myself, two weeks with the last five days in London. Believe it or not you could be in most parts of Cairo except around the various embassies and be pretty safe, but you obviously wouldn't want to walk around with logo clothing that might draw attention to you as an American. London is a world class multi-cultural city and like traveling throughout most of Europe, 9 times out of 10 unless you hear people talking you can't tell where anyone is from.....unless they advertise it. Terrorist might like to target Americans, but I'm not sure they could find us among all the Europeans because we all look alike. We're both going to London at a great time, the weather will be perfect and you should thoroughly enjoy it. Like everyone else said, stay away from our embassy for the reasons mentioned and you'll be fine. Best travel advice I ever recieved came from someone on the TH years ago. When you go somewhere BE THERE, and leave everything else behind when you go. No matter how long you are gone from home, when you get back it and the rest of the world's problems will be about the same as when you left. Have a great time.

I'm in London now, have been for about two weeks. I didn't even know there were protests. Perfectly safe.

Well, presumably you are in London and learning for yourself how over-rated all the fear drummed up on TV really is. The biggest demo I've ever seen London was a vegan protest at a West End steak house. They were handling out leaflets and carrots. Police had blocked off the street and patrolled on horseback. Nothing to worry about. Remember that protests, in London, the middle east, or anywhere, are almost never spontaneous demos by angry people. They are planned and coordinated events organized by specific groups for specific purposes. And, in London, they need a police permit that is only good for a specific date and time.

Apparently the person above is unaware of the riots that occurred in London and elsewhere in August 2011. Cars and businesses were burned. I doubt the protesters obtained a permit first. Not that it means they will happen again or there is any danger now. But protests can happen anywhere. So pay attention to the news, and avoid the embassy area just in case.

Sasha Last year's riots were over a domestic issue and were aggravated by others getting on the band wagon, it was an opportunity for some to vent their ire on the authorities. Since then many have paid a high price in loosing their freedom for a long time after their night of "fun". Having rather high jacked the thread whatever protests there were did not even make the TV news here.

Pauline, I know the situation is different but there seems to be an undercurrent of discontent in some places, looking for an excuse to explode. I was just pointing this out to the person who thinks all London protests are harmless ones by carrot-wielding vegans.