Photo: McDonald’s location on 17th Street NW, Washington, D.C. seen boarded up on Nov. 2, 2024. Sam Dorman/The Epoch Times
Businesses in major cities have been boarding up their store fronts before Election Day on Nov. 5, following a history of disruptive activity surrounding political events.
Near the White House on Nov. 2, multiple establishments had wooden boards covering building exteriors—including a McDonald’s, Peet’s Coffee, and a U.S. Postal Service office.
Photo: U.S. Post Office location on Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. Nov. 2, 2024 (Sam Dorman/The Epoch Times).
Reports have emerged of boarded-up exteriors in Portland, Oregon, Boston, Massachusetts, San Francisco, California, and New York City.
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Metropolitan Police Department have downplayed the potential for property destruction. “I don’t think they should be boarding up their buildings,” Bowser said during a public safety briefing last week, according to local media.
Police chief Pamela Smith similarly said there is “no need for any alarm.”
“We will not tolerate any violence of any kind,” Smith said. “We will not tolerate any riots. We will not tolerate the destruction of property. We will not tolerate any unlawful behavior. Offenders will be arrested and held accountable.”
The city erupted in protests and property destruction on the day of President Donald Trump’s inauguration in January 2017.
On the West Coast, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee’s office has activated members of the National Guard in anticipation of potential unrest.
“Based upon general and specific information and concerns regarding the potential for violence or other unlawful activity related to the 2024 general election,” the governor said on Nov. 1.
“I want to ensure we are fully prepared to respond to any potential additional civil unrest of the type described in RCW 38.08.040 occurring within Washington State leading up to, on, and potentially extending beyond November 5, 2024.”
RCW 38.08.040 is a section of state law that allows the governor to use the state’s organized militia in the event of “war, insurrection, rebellion, invasion, tumult, riot, mob,” and attempts to commit violence.
