While President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden have been crisscrossing the country on the campaign trail, construction crews have been getting to work installing fortifications for stores across the US. Both are in anticipation of Election Day
Fearing potential civil unrest stemming from the contentious contest between Trump and Biden, retailers have begun boarding up their shops in preparation for violent encounters and looting that could result in billions worth of property damage. Plywood and metallic covers now shield storefront windows in an attempt to protect them.
Shopping districts electing to stay open have implemented emergency plans in case the day turns violent, utilizing heavy-duty trucks to control protests. With the election results not likely to be known on election night due to an influx of mail-in and absentee ballots, the unrest could spread to later in the week.
Retailers are hoping to avoid a repeat of the George Floyd protests that inflicted between $1 and $2 billion in damage, insurance claims reveal. Protests have resume more recently in Philadelphia, where a Walmart was looted following the killing of Walter Wallace Jr. at the hands of police on October 26.
Take a look at the scene across the country as retailers hunker down, hoping for the best but preparing for the worst.