Preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best: Election anxiety sets in
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) — Voters in Colorado Springs are hoping any political protests following Tuesday’s election will be peaceful, but some are preparing just in case unrest breaks out.
Ani Barrington owns OCC Eclectic. She has one store in downtown Colorado Springs and one in Old Colorado City.
“We will definitely be paying attention to what’s going on in our own community, and we’ll do our best just to keep our people safe,” Barrington said. “That’s going to be the number one priority for us. If we have people in our stores that don’t feel comfortable, we will absolutely close our doors.”
Stores in the 16th Street Mall in Denver are boarded up. Shops in New York City and other major cities are taking similar precautions. Barrington bought plywood, but is hopeful she doesn’t need it.
“We’re really really hoping and just being confident that doesn’t happen. But yes, we have what we need,” she said.
Sebastian Candelaria, an El Paso County voter, is counting on peace as well.
“Please don’t destroy the cities,” Candelaria said. “Please don’t destroy peaceful protests. Let’s all be friends.”
Though Candelaria admits, some level of conflict could be inevitable.
“I’m sure that both sides are going to blame the other for some sort of catastrophe no matter whose fault it is,” he said.
Mark Lefever just sold his condo in Denver and moved to Colorado Springs to escape the riots.
“Downtown Denver, yeah, right by Capitol Hill where all the riots and all the issues were,” Lafever said. “Had enough of it, sold it, and moved back down here.”
Lafever believes Republicans will be peaceful if Biden is elected, and predicts more protests will break out if President Donald Trump is re-elected.
“They’re going to burn things down and destroy it,” he said.
Lafever says Republicans will be peaceful if Biden is elected.
“I think that the conservative side is going to be a little more restrained,” he says. “We haven’t seen that side go crazy, as far as destroying cities. They may voice their opinions, but I don’t expect any destruction.”
Video in Texas shows a Trump caravan blocking traffic on the highway. Witnesses allege the caravan rammed into a Biden supporter’s vehicle in an attempt to intimidate voters.
President Trump dismissed it, saying the caravan was protecting Biden’s bus.
KRDO will broadcast election results Tuesday as ballots are returned on krdo.com beginning at 7 p.m.
