Oakland businesses prepare for large protests after Trump inauguration

Wednesday, January 18, 2017
OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- Oakland city officials and business owners are bracing themselves for a storm of protest as the nation prepares to inaugurate Donald Trump as the 45th President.

RELATED: Bay Area protests scheduled for inauguration day

Oakland city employees went door to door downtown to make sure that business owners are up to speed on the protests and demonstrations expected to begin early Friday.
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"We can anticipate with the inauguration on Friday a lot of activity," said Karen Boyd, who works for the city of Oakland.

Officials say they will activate their emergency operation center and all police officers will be on duty to both manage the large crowds and handle potential problems like Oakland saw after the election.

"The destruction has damaged the reputation of some of the activists and organizers. What we're hearing is there is more of a focus on disruption and destruction," said Boyd.
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The largest event will be Saturday, with The Women's March through downtown.



"We've been working with the police department, the city, we've notified the businesses. We actually went out and walked the route last Saturday and talked to the businesses on the route," said Alison Mata, an organizer for the Oakland Women's March.

RELATED: Crews clean up damage after anti-Trump protests in Oakland

Still some businesses aren't taking any chances with several demonstrations looming. The Audi dealership on Broadway's auto row had its windows shattered during post-election protests. This time around the dealership says it will bring all of the new cars inside.
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