Mag Mile Braces For Christmas Eve Protest
(CBS) – Laquan McDonald protesters are promising a repeat Black Friday, when they blocked the entrance to Michigan Avenue stores and disrupted shoppers and sales.
CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker reports on the planned march for Christmas Eve on the Magnificent Mile.
"Obviously they're concerned," says Paul Swinand, a retail analyst for Morningstar, says of store operators. "They're most concerned about their employees. Nobody wants to see anybody get hurt for any reason, so they'll take appropriate precautions to make sure everybody is safe."
Retailers were reluctant Thursday to talk about their concerns on camera, but Water Tower Place security clerks say barricades are stacked and ready, just in case they're needed to keep protesters out.
Some managers say they're prepared to lock their doors if they have to. While that may impact foot traffic, Swinand says they won't reduce staff.
Protesters say they'll march until 4 or 5 p.m. Christmas Eve on Michigan Avenue. Stores in past years have been open until 6 p.m. those nights.
