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SAN FRANCISCO: American business leaders are calling for calm after Tuesday’s (November 3) elections, even as they prepare for potential trouble on the streets and within their companies in the event of a disputed outcome.
The fears were highlighted in many US cities where retail stores were closed, as some key executives raised concerns about public reaction.
Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg warned last week of the potential for civil unrest as votes are counted in a US election that will be “a test” for the social network.
Zuckerberg recently expressed concern by outlining the safeguards against disinformation and voter suppression on the main social network that are aimed at preventing the kinds of deception and abuse that occurred four years ago.
“I am concerned that with our nation so divided and election results that can take days or weeks to complete, there is a risk of civil unrest,” Zuckerberg said.
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American companies are striving to maintain the appearance of political neutrality while increasing security and monitoring clashes between employees with conflicting political views in an election so close it is at a flash point.
The risk appears heightened amid concerns that President Donald Trump may question the validity of the results of the race against Democrat Joe Biden.
“This has been a difficult choice to navigate for many companies,” Control Risks associate director Allison Wood told AFP.
The business risk consultancy has seen an increase in requests for additional security, both armed and unarmed.
Pedestrians leave a business as it is closed in anticipation of the riots, on November 2, 2020, the day before the US election. (Photo: AP / John Minchillo)
While retailers have been more interested in the potential for looting or rioting, operations with 24-hour shift workers are concerned about problems on the streets that prevent employees from showing up, according to Wood.
Businesses are also concerned that polarized political issues fueling conflict on the streets will lead to clashes in factories or other facilities.
“In manufacturing facilities or other essential operations with people on site, that’s certainly something companies are thinking about,” Wood said.
“For many companies, that potential is mitigated because people still work from home.”
ARMED WITH INTELLIGENCE?
Consulting firm Allied Universal’s requests from at-risk clients include guards, executive protection, and gathering “proactive intelligence,” according to senior vice president Joshua Skule.
“Intelligence support during a time of unrest will allow local operations or security managers to have a near real-time overview of the local weather and operating environment in case tensions escalate rapidly,” Skule said in a post. .
Large rallies and demonstrations are expected in cities across the country regardless of the outcome of the US elections.
The potential for violence will depend on a number of factors, including the winning candidate, the delay in the election results and misinformation on social media, according to Skule.
READ: Win the vote but still lose? Here is the Electoral College of the United States.
Workers erected fences along 17th Street near the White House as a precaution against possible unrest, on November 2, 2020, in Washington, the day before the US election. (Photo: AP / John Minchillo)
“This is clearly an election where there is a lot of tension on both sides of the political spectrum,” Wood said.
“People are viewing the elections in existential terms, and that could quickly turn into violence and looting.”
Last week, Walmart changed course after it said it would keep guns and ammunition stored off sales floors, out of reach of customers.
The retail giant cited the unrest in Philadelphia when it announced the security measure, but replaced the weaponry on the sales floors after a day.
The Business Roundtable, which represents a list of top American companies, called on people to support the voting process, even if the count takes longer than usual due to a change to mail-in ballots due to the pandemic.
“Even under normal circumstances, it may take time to finalize the results,” a joint statement read.
“We urge all Americans to support the process established in our federal and state laws and to maintain confidence in our country’s long tradition of peaceful and fair elections.”
