2020 presidential election: a cloud of violence overshadowing the United States

The state of American democracy is not looking good. The preaching of chaos, coupled with the possibility that President Donald Trump will reject an outcome that contradicts his aspirations for a second presidential term, following a hostile campaign accompanied by exceptional outcry, now raises questions about the following day’s scenarios, and the possibility of the country falling into violence that is likely to occur tomorrow to intimidate voters, or even after knowing the name. The winner if the results converge in favor of Joe Biden. In extensive research work recently published by the International Crisis Group, there is a clear indication that components of the unrest have taken hold in the United States, where political polarization among voters has reached its highest levels. Being an existential matter. The group points out that it is no longer just a vain speculation far from reality, especially since the state security institutions were suddenly faced with the challenge of establishing stability in a country that seems to be the moment to take advantage of some of his lessons.

There are many factors in which elections run the risk of bloodshed, such as political polarization linked to issues of race and identity. The emergence of armed groups with political agendas; Higher-than-usual chances of anticipating a disputed outcome … In similar circumstances, elections can become dangerous if there are large and committed bases of support for both candidates. The risk factors referred to in the “Crisis Group” document are present in the United States, where the legacies of slavery, civil war and apartheid are still embraced, and in parallel the “Second Amendment” is sacred that engulfs the country with intrusive weapons. Elections are being held under the cloud of a deadly epidemic, and in a country so divided among its constituents that it feels overwhelmed to the point that firearm sales have increased in some areas. In an indication of the tension that reigned across the country on the eve of the elections, several stores were hidden in different American cities, including New York and Washington, DC, for fear that the demonstrations would escalate into riots. In the event of an intense battle and the results are delayed or closed, some fear that the supporters of the two candidates will take to the streets to demand the annulment of the opponent’s victory. Equally disturbing is the collective threat posed by far-right militant cells, such as the thirteen men who were recently arrested for conspiring to kidnap Democratic Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. It is possible, according to the newspaper, that these groups intimidate voters and, if the result is disputed, cause problems by taking to the streets and clashing with progressive and / or left-wing groups, increasing the risk of bloodshed. The shock that interrupts voting or the counting of votes in a decisive situation will rapidly escalate, especially if Trump claims victory before the completion of official procedures and calls on his supporters to take to the streets.

The race for the White House has gone beyond the elections to an existential question

One of the biggest challenges the United States could face is Trump’s rejection of the election result if he loses. The group says that what increases the chances of violence is the Trump campaign’s focus on election fraud if his opponent wins, which is what the president personally worked on for months, repeatedly questioning the methods of voting for mail and the possibility of contesting the result before the US judiciary. Additional factors fueling this possibility are the drowning of weapons by the United States and its previous bleak record of civil wars, indiscriminate killings, as well as labor disputes, slavery and others. The growth of white supremacy movements during the Trump era, increased racial injustice against blacks and police brutality are reasons likely to cause violence, according to the group, which notes that the United States has the worst record among the high-income countries, in terms of daily murders. There is an opinion that excludes the occurrence of violence, citing more severe tensions that occurred during previous elections, in which the two parties did not resort to bearing arms. The reference here is to the 2000 election, when the Supreme Court halted the counting of votes in Florida and granted the presidency to George W. Bush, sparking much controversy and outrage from Democrats but did not resort to violence. This ruling calls on foreign heads of state to be patient and responsible, and to wait for the final results and the official announcement, before starting to send congratulations so that there is no controversy (Trump may try to declare victory in advance on November 3 , claiming that the polls scheduled for that day alone should be counted, and the pressure on their foreign counterparts to admit their supposed success). It is also the responsibility of the media affiliated to both parties, who must not announce the expected winner. To avoid confusion, skepticism, or accusations of forgery.

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