Major cities across the country are boarding up their businesses before election night. Cities like D.C., Atlanta, New York, and Los Angeles are anticipating major protests despite the outcome of the election. The civil unrest in America is only continuing to grow amidst the coronavirus pandemic, racial injustice, millions on unemployment, and other strenuous circumstances.
What We Know:
- Law enforcement is preparing in advance to diffuse any signs of civil unrest. They are anticipating rioting, looting, and violence after election results. Some cities have issued curfews as a precaution to discourage any property damage and threats to public safety.
- Election results may be delayed due to mail-in ballots and varying extensions for ballots that arrive prior to election day. Many fear that the president will question the legitimacy of the results or declare a premature victory.
- Some businesses are cutting hours for election day, closing completely, boarding their windows with plywood, and other barriers to protect their buildings.
- According to the American Civil Liberties Union, curfews to control demonstrators’ freedom of speech and free movement are imposed “far too often” and should be deemed unconstitutional.
With a rise in protests around the nation, it seems inevitable that this election will continue to bring people to the streets. Americans have found their voice, and they intend to use it.
