MSA Intel Alert: Update on Nationwide Protests 12.17.20

Lawful nationwide protests are planned to continue today and throughout the weekend, with the probability of larger demonstrations to occur; however, due to the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and a continued uptick in cases across the country, as well as severe weather impacting the Northeast U.S., lower turnouts are expected. Health officials have continued to warn that the protests themselves are very likely to help spread COVID-19 if demonstrators are not practicing safe social distancing.

Protests across the nation over the past few months, notably in populated cities, have resulted in surges in crime, including incidents of vandalism, looting, arson, assaults, and other forms of violence involving the participants of these events and malicious actors. Recent incidents of individuals driving vehicles through protesters in New York City (NYC), and stabbing attacks in Washington, D.C., have highlighted the continued threat of impromptu attacks at such demonstrations. Additionally, intelligence officials have warned of election-related protests, and demonstrations against COVID-19 safety lockdowns, attracting potentially violent far-right groups, such as the Proud Boys, which the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has labeled a hate group.

While lawful demonstrations have been mostly peaceful over the past week, the announcement of president-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the U.S. presidential election has continued to lead to additional protests and calls for violence. Election-related civil unrest has observably decreased when compared to earlier in November and months prior; however, protest activity in response to COVID-19 safety restrictions has continued to occur in multiple states amid the upcoming holidays. Recently, authorities have noted that the enforcement of COVID-19 restrictions have contributed to heightened tensions between the public and police, as discontent toward law enforcement officials continues to grow throughout the nation.

While riotous activity has decreased overall in the past few weeks, protests are still expected to occur in populated urban centers. Previous protests across the U.S. have occasionally resulted in incidents of vandalism, arson, property destruction, vehicle-rammings, shootings, and clashes with police, which have occurred in major metropolitan areas, including, but not limited to: Baltimore, Chicago, NYC, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Austin, Louisville, St. Louis, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland, and Seattle. The threat posed by outside or criminal actors taking advantage of the protest activity to advance their agenda remains high, and impromptu actions are possible. Federal law enforcement officials have advised state and local police, security agencies, and those participating in demonstrations, especially during the weekend, to report any suspicious activity or persons attempting to incite violence.

Below, please find an updated list of known upcoming protests that will be occurring in major cities across the U.S. and Canada between today, Thursday, December 17, and Thursday, December 31. The number of protests and locations of these events are expected to continue to increase throughout the week and into the weekend.

MSA Intel will continue to monitor nationwide protest activity and provide relevant updates.