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There’s been talk of there being widespread riots after Election Day. But how likely is that to actually happen? Well, it depends on a few things.
First and foremost, it depends on who wins. If Trump wins, there’s a far greater likelihood that violence will ensue. Just think back to all the protests that took place at the Trump rallies. Fistfights broke out. People were getting objects hurled at them. Vehicles were vandalized. Protestors even attempted to overturn a police car!
If it was that bad during campaign season, just imagine what it will be like if he actually wins.
On the other hand, there’s also a chance that there will be riots if Clinton wins. This would likely only take place in solid red states such as Texas, Alabama, Indiana, and Kentucky. But the same can be said for a Trump win; riots will likely only ensue in solid blue states. And if riots are going to break out, they’re going to break out in major cities where massive amounts of people can congregate.
But the third factor, and most important at that, is how prepared law enforcement is to counteract this type of violence. Most police departments, especially those in big cities, are trained on how to handle riots and protests.
That’s why if riots do break out, it’s critically important that law enforcement prosecute offenders to the fullest extent of the law. People will only act out if they know they can get away with that type of behavior. That’s why it’s vitally important that police A) step up their forces after Election Day B) have the proper riot gear available to combat violence and C) take a zero-tolerance attitude towards vandalism and assault.
In the end, nobody quite knows what’s going to happen after Election Day. But the best advice is to avoid major cities and stay inside just in case.
