Businesses in deep blue Portland, Oregon and Washington, DC, are boarding up in preparation for potential unrest ahead of Election Day.
Banks, small businesses, and office buildings in downtown Portland can be seen with plywood secured over doors and windows to protect properties from damage, The Oregonian reported. Leftist and anarchist protesters notably rioted for nights on end after Donald Trump was elected in 2016 and terrorized the city in 2020 following the death of George Floyd.
“If your sports team loses, do you go out and break windows?” said real estate developer Jordan Schnitzer, who owns the Pacific Center officer tower on Southwest Sixth Avenue. He said he had spent approximately $20,000 boarding up three of his downtown buildings, calling the effort precautionary.
“In this day and age to see that this type of behavior in America is so commonplace is heartbreaking,” Schnitzer added. “What kind of message are we sending to our young people?”
Similar reports have arisen out of the nation’s capital, where businesses close to the White House are boarding up in case violence break out.
During a public safety meeting last week, Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto brought up the concern of residents and businesses owners to DC Mayor Muriel Bowser.
“We are already getting requests from businesses if they should board up. We are getting requests about people moving trash cans inside,” Ward 2 Councilmember Brooke Pinto said during a public safety meeting last week, WUSA9 reported.
According to DC News Now, McDonald’s, the Frame Mender and the entrance to 750 17th St NW were almost completely boarded over by Thursday evening, although they were still open to the public.
“I think it’s terrible that it has to be done, because no one wants it. I don’t think it should be necessary, but maybe because of the past, it’s necessary. I understand that they have to do it, but I feel sorry that it has to be done,” said Joeri Vanbroekovon, who was visiting D.C. for the election.