Denver Businesses Board Up Windows Ahead of Possible Protests

A number of Denver businesses are preparing for the worst-case scenario as election day 2020 draws near.

According to FOX 31, several downtown Denver businesses have been boarding up windows to protect against damage and theft in the aftermath of Tuesday's election. Denver police have reportedly warned business owners of possible upheaval following the election. Some businesses have boarded up windows while others have installed other security measures like a metal fence.

One business owner who is taking extra precautions has been looted four times in the last five months resulting in a loss of around $140,000 in merchandise.

It is unthinkable that in the 21st century United States of America so many people are truly concerned about the possibility of violence, rioting, and looting following a presidential election. It feels like the apprehension is present on both sides of the aisle. Both sides seem to fear there will be protests and revolt if the other candidate wins.

What kind of response will there be in Grand Junction? We have been pretty fortunate over the past several months as rioting and violent protests were happening in larger cities across the county. Grand Junction has seen some peaceful protests and gatherings in response to incidents of racial injustice around the nation and it would be reasonable to expect that Grand Junction will be void of protest-related violence and unrest in the coming days.

There have been media reports of extreme militia groups taking some sort of action on election day and beyond. But, it's not just militant groups that may be cause for concern. There is the possibility of unhappy ordinary citizens taking to the streets to voice their displeasure as they have done across the country in recent months - and doing so in a violent, reckless, and unlawful way.

Tension typically runs high between sharply divided political parties leading up to an election. It seems, however, at the end of the day when the dust settles and the last vote has been counted, we reach across the aisle, shake hands, and commit to working together for the betterment of our nation. We can only hope and pray, regardless of the outcome of this election, the protests will be peaceful and non-violent. When it's all said and done, hopefully, we can move on together as one nation "indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."