With Reverend Al Sharpton’s “We Will Not Go Back” march against police brutality approaching, many north shore businesses are preparing to close as a precaution.
The Staten Island Chamber of Commerce sent a flier to dozens of merchants this week warning them: “There is no guarantee everyone in attendance will act sensibly.”
Many business owners are taking the information seriously and will close shop on Saturday.
Despite the reaction, the Chamber of Commerce says the letter wasn’t meant to scare business owners or discourage them from staying open.
“That’s what we do at the chamber. We provide information to local businesses so, because there’s going to be such a large assembly of people, we wanted to make sure people were aware of it,” said Staten Island Chamber of Commerce President Linda Baran.
“I’m hearing that they’re going to protesting and coming down the streets…so I’m just going to close the store all day and take my chances,” said Joseph Fiore, owner of Bagel Mercato.
“I don’t understand why it has to be taken as a fear or a negative, you know. People are protesting. They’re marching. This happens all the time,” said North Shore Business Association President Bobby Diggi.
The march is expected to bring in about 15,000 people to the Island.
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