Businesses in cities nationwide boarded up ahead of election day over fears of unrest

Business owners in a number of cities across the country are boarding up and taking other precautions ahead of Tuesday’s election. 

Photos taken in recent days show stores, shops and restaurants in cities including Washington, D.C., Los Angeles and New York protecting windows in case protests against the election results turn violent.

I never thought I would see so many buildings here in the nation’s capital boarded-up on the eve of a presidential election in anticipation of possible unrest. And it’s not just in DC. It’s happening in New York, Los Angeles and elsewhere around the country. So sad! pic.twitter.com/fmPnUBbr8T

— Wolf Blitzer (@wolfblitzer) November 1, 2020

NYC, 5th Avenue preparing for election violence. pic.twitter.com/ObgA8ya6Tp

— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) November 2, 2020

Is anyone actually surprised that D.C. is boarding up ahead of the election?

I took these photos in the early morning of May 31, following a weekend of rioting in downtown D.C. pic.twitter.com/FEMDxDhdQ5

— Kaylee Greenlee (@kayleegreenlee) November 2, 2020

Following the death of George Floyd in late May, the nation saw widespread protests against police brutality, some of which deteriorated into rioting and looting. 

Election experts and law enforcement officials have warned that they are concerned about potential violence resulting from the outcome of the election. 

A “non-scalable” fence is also reportedly being built outside the White House ahead of Tuesday’s election.