Chicago businesses have already begun boarding up downtown storefronts ahead of Monday’s opening of the Democratic National Convention in anticipation of widespread rioting and violence.
Plywood shielding made its first appearance on Thursday morning as the city’s shopping district opened for business.
“You know, this city has a poor track record when it comes to protecting businesses,” said Scott Shapiro, owner of Sid Jerome’s. said WLS-TV in Chicago.
“Since our clients and their employers have instructed us to stay home for the duration of the convention for their own safety, we thought it would be prudent to board up the space,” Shapiro added.
Shapiro is understandably taking precautions: His store was among those destroyed in the 2020 riots.
The retailer added that it was not afraid of peaceful protesters, but was wary of “people who would infiltrate themselves and exploit the protests for their own purposes.”
Shapiro is right to be worried. News outlets have warned that violent protesters OrganisationSome predict a domestic terrorist organization. Antifa Pro-Hamas groups with violent tendencies have also targeted Chicago, with members bus From outside to the city.
He’s not the only one boarding up his store: plywood fences have gone up all over the Loop and downtown Chicago’s retail district.
One boarding company told media that it had received 40 calls this week alone asking retailers across the city to start boarding up.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Police Department (CPD) has warned protesters that violence and property damage will not be tolerated.
Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling warned that the First Amendment is no cover for “criminal activity.”
ABC7 Reported Snelling told CNN:
There is a clear difference between rioting and peaceful protest, or people simply exercising their First Amendment rights. [sic] “This action does not include rioting. It does not include criminal activity. It does not include breaking any laws. It does not include violence, vandalism or any other behavior that is not acceptable in our city. But if people are gathering here to exercise their First Amendment rights and they are acting peacefully and lawfully, we will protect that right.”
“The minute it starts, we have to end it,” Snelling said. said According to Chicago’s WBEZ radio, there are signs of violence and riots. “When people become accustomed to violence and vandalism, that’s when it turns into riots.”
But the Chicago Police Department is also imposing use-of-force rules, such as limiting batons to strikes to the torso and legs, rather than the head and neck, and many officers have been notified they will be working extra hours next week, raising concerns about fatigue and overwork.
“We need to extend our opening hours. There will be some holiday cancellations,” the superintendent told media. “But… [are] We also have wellness plans in place for our officers to ensure they are cognitively effective when responding.”
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