Businesses in downtown Vancouver are being warned to "familiarize and prepare themselves" for the upcoming Occupy Vancouver protest slated for next weekend.
While the Occupy Wall Street demonstrations in New York and other U.S. cities have been mostly peaceful, the Downtown Vancouver BIA isn't taking chances, saying store owners should expect some disruptions, perhaps for days.
The current plan is for protesters to take over the Vancouver Art Gallery lawn, bring tents and set up a camp that could last until December.
"Over 2,000 people have indicated via social media channels that they will attend. Vancouver area organizers are trying to attract local unions, among others, to participate, so the numbers may grow," the BIA wrote on its website Friday.
The association warns of traffic disruptions if the crowd spills out onto the street as the protest swells.
It also cautions a potential run on services like food sales and washroom facilities as more protesters enter the downtown core.
"There is the possibility of random marches through the streets or to specific locations that may be associated with ‘big business,'" the statement read.
The BIA said businesses should consider having additional security at the entrances of their shops, or near large windows.
Businesses are also cautioned to remove large portable objects from the front and rear of their properties and brief all staff about how to deal with protesters if they try to get into the building.
A website promoting Occupy Vancouver urges protesters to bring a tent on Oct. 15, and expect to stay for the long haul.
"We will be out there for as long as it takes and we all need to work together to make this work," it reads.
A Facebook event for the protests had 2,427 confirmed attendees by Friday afternoon.
The Vancouver Police Department said it has spoken with Occupy Vancouver organizers and expects to have more communication with the group in coming days.
Const. Jana McGuinness said police planning is "well underway" despite the fact that the number of protesters is still unknown.
"Legal protests and demonstrations in Vancouver are welcome, and people are free to gather in any public space as long as their actions are legal," she said in a statement issued Friday.
The VPD promises it will liaise with concerned businesses as the event draws nearer.
Protests are also planned for other Canadian cities like Calgary, Toronto and Montreal.
Occupy Wall Street began on Sept. 17 outside of the New York Stock Exchange. While the initial protesters were thrown out of the area by police, hundreds have occupied nearby Zuccotti Park.
The motivations for the protesters are varied, but most is centered around corporate greed and economic inequality in the U.S.
