Some downtown Chicago businesses are on lockdown as concerns run high about possible protests and riots as the Democratic National Convention (DNC) begins Monday.
“We have experience with this and the city doesn’t have a good track record of protecting their businesses or their citizens’ property. So we want to be pre-emptive and acknowledge that before the Democratic convention,” Scott Shapiro, owner of Syd Jerome, told Fox News as he was picking up his business.
The convention will take place from Monday to Thursday at the United Center and McCormick Place.
Authorities have erected fences around the United Center as the roads are filled with trucks. There is now also a large police presence.
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Several businesses across Chicago are boarding their property amid concerns that protests could escalate during the Democratic National Convention this week. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images/FreedomNewsTV)
“Since 2019, we’ve been robbed or vandalized, four separate times. So, like I said, you know, we have a little experience with this, and we haven’t gotten any assurances from the city that they’re going to do anything. downtown specifically,” Shaprio explained. “So we wanted to make sure we were safe. The store was safe and our employees were safe.”
More than half a dozen protests are expected throughout the convention this week, which is expected to draw about 50,000 attendees, including delegates, guests and 15,000 journalists, Fox 32 reported.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said about 150 members of the Illinois National Guard are on standby in Chicago in case the protests get out of hand, according to the newspaper.
“Within the last two weeks, everybody’s getting a little nervous. So we’ve been doing mostly pre-board training for the last two weeks. Now everybody’s starting to get on board, now that everybody’s basically doing remote work next week,” Vicki Fichter, owner of Chicago Board-Up Services, told Fox News.
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Fichter said business owners are not all nervous and are only doing this as a precaution.
“It’s cheaper to ride it than to ride it and replace the glass later. So I believe they’re just being more proactive this time. They want that security,” Fichter said.
More than 300 police officers from Illinois and Milwaukee were replaced by Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling on Saturday during a police training session before the DNC.
Police said the additional officers are helping with security, allowing the Chicago Police Department to focus on patrolling neighborhoods across the city.
“Making sure our officers have everything they need to do their jobs safely and successfully is essential. Superintendent Larry Snelling met with officers and recruits today to thank them for all they are doing for protect Chicago during the DNC and throughout the year,” Chicago Police wrote. in a post on X.
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Since Sunday, Chicago Tribune reported that at least seven large demonstrations, on issues ranging from abortion rights to so-called economic injustice, have been sanctioned by city officials.
Thousands of anti-Israel protesters from around the country are also expected to gather in Chicago during the DNC.
On Friday, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said all protesters are welcome.
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Work continues at the United Center ahead of the Democratic National Convention, Thursday, August 15, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
“They don’t have to worry about their First Amendment right,” Johnson said. “I will make sure these individuals have everything they need to make sure their voices are heard.”
However, in response, Snelling vowed that the authorities would intervene if the protests got out of hand.
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“We’re not going to let people come in here and destroy the city,” Snelling said earlier this week, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Some of the high-profile speakers set to present at the convention include President Biden, former presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, and Hillary Clinton, who is expected to support Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.
Fox News Digital’s Anders Hagstrom and Stephen Soarce contributed to this report.
