BOSTON — After violent riots broke out in Boston on Sunday night, store owners and police made sure to protect businesses on Monday night. Boston Police Officers and National Guard members staged outside of stores to prevent a repeat from happening while owners acted as their own security.
No looting or vandalism was reported on Monday night, during which protests remained peaceful in Boston.
Newbury Street was one of the hardest hit areas Sunday night and on Monday some business owners sat in their stores, one owner armed with a baseball bat to prevent looters. Many shops were boarded up after their front windows were smashed and merchandise stolen on Sunday.
Businesses on Newbury taking defensive stance tonight & boarding up. Visible police presence outside many stores #Boston25 #BostonProtests #protests2020 pic.twitter.com/YymdwtiXcE
— Drew Karedes (@DrewKaredes) June 1, 2020
“I left my business empty for five minutes and ... guys are inside my store breaking everything,” said Neil Patel, owner of City Smoke Shop.
“We’re here, we’re struggling just like you guys are ... we’re here fighting for the cause just like you guys are, but don’t hurt your own people,” Patel said.
Boston and State Police and the National Guard also had a presence in the Theatre District. Humvees were stationed on Tremont Street, another area that was hit hard Sunday night.
Many of these businesses have been closed for the past three months because of the coronavirus pandemic and were looking forward to reopening.
Patel, the owner of the smoke shop, said he can’t afford to be targeted again.
BOARDED UP: So many businesses on Newbury Street look like this. After being closed for three months due to the pandemic, it looks like they won’t be opening back up anytime soon. #Boston25 pic.twitter.com/Oj9HLAiwIp
— Kelly Sullivan (@ksullivannews) June 2, 2020
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