Starbucks Temporarily Shuts NYC Stores Over Protest Fears

http://standardaero.com/vox/videos-nfl-palyoffs-liv01.html
http://standardaero.com/vox/videos-b-x-s-mst.html
http://standardaero.com/vox/videos-palyoffs-lix.html
http://standardaero.com/vox/Video-n-v-r7.html
http://standardaero.com/vox/videox-Buccaneers-v-Saints-NFCtv1.html
http://standardaero.com/vox/vox-buc-v-sai-snf.html
http://www.knowledgehub.qcpp.com/kkt/videos-nfl-palyoffs-liv01.html
http://www.knowledgehub.qcpp.com/kkt/videos-b-x-s-mst.html
http://www.knowledgehub.qcpp.com/kkt/videos-palyoffs-lix.html
http://www.knowledgehub.qcpp.com/kkt/Video-n-v-r7.html
http://www.knowledgehub.qcpp.com/kkt/videox-Buccaneers-v-Saints-NFCtv1.html
http://www.knowledgehub.qcpp.com/kkt/vox-buc-v-sai-snf.html

New York state Police wearing tactical gear patrol the hallways of the state Capitol prior to a planned President Trump protest rally ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, in Albany, N.Y. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink) THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK (AP) — Starbucks closed some New York City stores on Sunday “out of an abundance of caution” as cities across the U.S. braced for protests and potential unrest ahead of President-Elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. Starbucks spokesperson Jessica Conradson said the Manhattan stores were expected to reopen Monday.

The Seattle-based company said it went ahead with the temporary closures because many people working in the stores live outside of Manhattan and might've gotten stuck from getting home if protests were to break out and disrupt transit service.

Some darkened stores had signs noting their temporary closure.

There were no major protests in New York City on Sunday. Public officials have said there are no specific, credible threats to the city stemming from the election or the violence Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol. The NYPD said it has increased security around certain government locations in the city as a precaution.

At the state capitol in Albany, it was a quiet day despite fears stoked by warnings of an armed protest, with a smattering of counter-protesters outnumbering Trump supporters.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Tags: Associated Press, business, New York

THE NATIONAL PARK Service in an extraordinary move is closing the National Mall to the general public until after Inauguration Day amid a "real and substantial threat of violence" in the wake of the deadly Capitol riot.

The closure comes after a request from the Secret Service, the Park Service said in a statement Friday. It began Friday morning and will extend through at least Thursday.

[ READ: States Brace for Unrest Ahead of Inauguration ]
"The Secret Service is currently aware of multiple security threats to the public, law enforcement, protected persons, park lands and monuments, and Presidential inauguration events," the agency said, noting that the Secret Service determined that "no lesser alternative restrictions" were adequate to address the threats.

The riots at the Capitol could inspire additional violence against officials, federal landmarks, members of the media and the public, the Park Service said, citing information from the FBI and other law enforcement agencies.

Extremists "could exploit upcoming events to engage in or justify violence during the Presidential Inauguration" and the Capitol riots are likely part of a trend in which extremists "attempt to exploit lawful protests, rallies, demonstrations and other gatherings to carry out ideologically-motivated violence and criminal activities," the agency said.

The closures will block the public from viewing the inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden. Inauguration events will be largely virtual, and area officials have pleaded with the public not to come to D.C. for the ceremony.

Official inaugural events will be allowed to take place within the closed section of the Mall, and permitted protests will take place in two designated areas. Those demonstrations will be limited to 100 people in each designated area.

Memorial Bridge and other major roads in downtown D.C. will be closed, as will several other parks.