Several stores in downtown Chicago were boarded up as the Democratic National Convention (DNC) kicked off on Monday, raising concerns about protests and potential unrest.
“We’ve had experience with this. The city doesn’t have a great track record of protecting businesses and civic property, so we want to be preemptive and board up before the Democratic National Convention,” Sid Jerome’s owner Scott Shapiro told Fox News as he boarded up his store.
The tournament will run Monday through Thursday at the United Center and McCormick Place.
Authorities have erected fencing around the United Center, trucks are lining the streets, and there is already a heavy police presence.
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Many businesses across Chicago have boarded up their premises amid fears that protests could escalate during this week’s Democratic National Convention. (Joe Raedl/Getty Images/Freedom News TV)
“Since 2019, we’ve been looted and vandalized four times, so like I said, we have a little bit of experience with this and we haven’t received any commitment from the city that they’re going to do anything about it, especially downtown,” Shaprio explained. “So we just wanted to make sure we were safe. That our store was safe, that our employees were safe.”
Fox 32 reported that at least six protests are expected at this week’s convention, which is expected to attract around 50,000 participants, including delegates, guests and 15,000 journalists.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said about 150 members of the Illinois National Guard were on standby in Chicago in case the protests got out of hand, according to the outlet.
“Everybody’s been getting a little anxious over the last two weeks, so we’ve basically been getting ready to plank for the last two weeks, and now everybody’s starting to plank because next week basically everybody’s going to be working remotely,” Vicki Fichter, owner of Chicago Board Up Services, told Fox News.
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Fichter said it’s not that all business owners are worried, but rather they’re just doing it as a precaution.
“It’s cheaper to board it up than to board it up and then have to replace the glass later, so I think they’re taking more of a preventative action this time. They want that security,” Fichter said.
More than 300 officers from Illinois and Milwaukee were appointed deputies by Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling during a police training session Saturday ahead of the Democratic National Convention.
Police said the additional officers are helping to maintain public order and will allow Chicago police to focus on patrolling neighborhoods across the city.
“Ensuring our officers have everything they need to perform their jobs safely and securely is paramount. Superintendent Larry Snelling met with our officers and new officers today to thank them for their hard work protecting Chicago during the Democratic National Convention and throughout the year,” Chicago Police said in a post on X.
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As of Sunday, Chicago Tribune At least seven large demonstrations dealing with issues ranging from abortion rights to so-called economic injustice were reported to have been authorized by city authorities.
Thousands of anti-Israel protesters from around the country are also expected to descend on Chicago during the Democratic National Convention.
On Friday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said he welcomed all protesters.
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Work continues at the United Center ahead of the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
“They don’t have to worry about their First Amendment rights,” Johnson said. “I’m going to make sure these people have everything they need to make sure their voices are heard.”
But Snelling made it clear that authorities would step in if the protests got out of control.
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“We’re not going to allow people to come here and destroy the city,” Snelling said earlier this week, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Among the high-profile speakers scheduled to speak at the convention are President Biden, former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton, all of whom are expected to endorse Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
Fox News Digital’s Anders Hagstrom and Steven Soars contributed to this report.
