Fearful New Yorkers are making plans to escape the city ahead of potential election day violence and protests, according to the New York Post.
Paulo Wei, a 25-year-old student, is planning to leave behind the unrest by leaving his luxury building on the Upper West Side for his family’s 60-acre farm two hours north of the city. the Post reported Saturday.
“I felt trapped in the apartment — the protests were overwhelming,” Wei said. “It could happen again and I don’t want to be caught up in that. No matter who wins, someone is going to get upset.”
When Trump refuses to concede, the cascading effects could break our fragile transition of power. My new cover story in @TheAtlantic. https://t.co/l98m2QRszn
— Barton Gellman (@bartongellman) September 23, 2020
Flatiron resident Andrea, 31, a Republican and public relations specialist also decided to run for the hills. She is planning to flee prior to Election day to Tulum, Mexico from Oct. 25 through Nov. 8.
“I went to my parents in New Jersey for about two weeks when the BLM protests got bad and the looting started. So I definitely want to get out of here the week of the election,” Andrea said, the Post reported.”
“I’m thinking if Trump wins, it’s going to be a disaster — the city will be on fire. People are going to go nuts,” Andrea added,
Ooana Trien, 42, an artist from Hell’s Kitchen has been staying in her family’s Fire Island home since mid-July.
The Trump supporter plans to mail in her ballot and welcomes friends looking for an escape into her home. “I told my friends that whoever wanted to get out of the city was welcome here. One friend who lives in Washington Heights is going to vote in the morning [on Nov. 3] and come straight up to the beach,” Trien said.
“My mother thinks that whether [Trump] wins or loses, protesters will try and burn down Trump Tower,” the artist said.
A leaked NYPD memo, obtained by The Post, revealed this week that police are preparing for protests to begin as early as Oct. 25 and grow in intensity through next year.
The memo reportedly said officers should “be prepared for deployment,” the Post reported.
“This November 3rd will be one of the most highly contested presidential elections in the modern era. There is also a strong likelihood that the winner of the presidential election may not be decided for several weeks,” the memo said, the Post reported.