Explainer: United States election 2020. Video / Nathan Meek
The most famous shopping strips in the United States are unrecognisable as retailers board up their stores or block passing traffic entirely, bracing for election-related unrest in coming days.
Weeks out from unveiling its glittering holiday windows, Saks Fifth Avenue in Manhattan is a wall of plywood, joining the Disney Store in Times Square and chains including Macy's and Tiffany.
Businesses are hoping to avoid a repeat of looting and vandalism seen over the summer months following the death of George Floyd at the hands of police.
A worker boards up a storefront as business owners prepare for possible unrest on election day in Portland. Photo / AP
"While we intend to remain open where possible, out of an abundance of caution the windows of select stores in key cities will be boarded in anticipation of potential election-related activity," Tiffany spokesman Nathan Strauss told CNN.
The New York Times reports the "sea" of boarded buildings in NYC stretches from the high-end stores into the commercial districts of the Bronx and Brooklyn, reflecting a "broader national anxiety" as the US decides on Donald Trump or Joe Biden as President for the next four years.
A labourer paints a boarded up window at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. Photo / AP
According to Forbes, boarding up a storefront can cost between US$125 to US$31,000.
Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, California, will be closed to drivers and pedestrians on Tuesday and Wednesday local time.
"The Beverly Hills Police Department will be on full alert throughout the residential and business districts," BHPD Chief Dominick Rivetti said in a video posted to Twitter.
Thousands of National Guard troops have been stationed across the country in preparation for the election.
Last week, Walmart announced it was removing all guns and ammunition from its sale floors across thousands of stores in response to concerns about civil unrest but later reversed its decision because the incidents had remained "geographically isolated".
A federal law enforcement source told the NBC a "non-scalable" fence would be erected around the entire perimeter of the White House complex and 250 National Guardsmen are on standby.
The White House on lockdown: A federal law enforcement source tells NBC that beginning tomorrow, crews will build a “non-scalable” fence to secure the WH complex, Ellipse and Lafayette Square.
250 National Guardsmen have been put on standby, reporting to Metro Police officials.
The fence, which went up on Monday night, is similar to the barrier erected amid widespread protests after George Floyd was killed in May.
Barriers continue to go up around the White House complex tonight late into the evening- this is the Executive Office building side pic.twitter.com/2sPtZblqor
Meanwhile, a local news photographer in Chicago filmed armoured vehicles streaming into the city.
Washington Post reporter Alex Horton on Monday said he had asked for more information but the "Illinois Guard won't provide any details on this movement, even though a lack of clarity is confusing and unnerving for residents".
Illinois Guard won't provide any details on this movement, even though a lack of clarity is confusing and unnerving for residents https://t.co/DFbPY5fnWE
"For security reasons, the ILNG is not to discussing specifics of movements or future plans People can see ILNG trucks and troops moving. This is to be ready to respond if needed, but we have not been given any missions. We hope we are not needed. But best to be ready and there," the Illinois National Guard replied on Twitter.
