re: #256 Wendell Zurkowitz ((slave to the waffle light))

If offices are closed, then the only people coming into town will be protesters, whom they can turn away without antagonizing workers who merely want to do their jobs.

That is my understanding of the logic

It also allows them to cut transit into the city. If everyone had to work it would be hard to keep protesters out.

Also, with more people in the center city, it just gives more people the chance to join in the protests.