Protests include vandalism, fires; 217 arrested

Protesters set this limousine afire Friday just blocks from President Donald Trump’s inaugural parade route.
Protesters set this limousine afire Friday just blocks from President Donald Trump’s inaugural parade route.

WASHINGTON -- Protesters set fires and hurled bricks in a daylong assault on the city hosting Donald Trump's inauguration, registering their rage against the new president in a series of clashes that led to more than 200 arrests. Police used pepper spray and stun grenades to prevent the chaos from spilling into Trump's formal procession and evening balls.










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AP/JOHN MINCHILLO

A protester shields his mouth and nose from chemicals that police fired to break up a demonstration Friday in Washington after Donald Trump’s inauguration.

Several demonstrations unfolded peacefully at various security checkpoints near the Capitol as police helped ticket-holders get through to the inaugural ceremony. Signs read, "Resist Trump Climate Justice Now," "Let Freedom Ring" and "Free Palestine."

But about a mile from the National Mall, police gave chase to a group of about 100 protesters who smashed the windows of downtown businesses including a Starbucks, a Bank of America and a McDonald's as they denounced capitalism and Trump. Police in riot gear used pepper spray from large canisters to help contain the violence, which broke out periodically throughout the day.

"They began to destroy property, throw objects at people, through windows. A large percentage of this small group was armed with crowbars and hammers," said the city's interim police chief, Peter Newsham.

[INAUGURATION DAY: Full coverage, including map, photos, videos]

Six officers suffered minor injuries, he said.

The confrontation began an hour before Trump took the oath of office and escalated several hours later as the crowd of protesters swelled to more than 1,000, some wearing gas masks and with arms chained together inside PVC pipe. One said the demonstrators were "bringing in the cavalry."

When some crossed police lines, taunting, "Put the pigs in the ground," police charged with batons and pepper spray, and used stun grenades to shock and disperse crowds. Loud booms echoed through the streets about six blocks from where Trump would soon hold his inaugural parade.

Some protesters picked up bricks and concrete from the sidewalk and hurled them at police lines. Some rolled large, metal trash cans at police.

[GALLERY: 70+ photos from Inauguration Day]

"It's a little jarring when you're in a peaceful march with drumming and chanting and the next thing you know flash bangs are going off around you," said Daniel Hultquist, a protester from Rhode Island. "People that throw rocks and bricks are undermining the cause."

Later, they set fire to a limousine on the perimeter of the secured zone, sending black smoke billowing into the sky during Trump's procession.

As night fell, protesters set a bonfire blocks from the White House and frightened well-dressed Trump supporters as they ventured to the new president's inaugural balls. Police briefly ordered ballgoers to remain inside their hotel as they worked to contain advancing protesters.

Police charged 217 people with rioting, said Newsham, noting that there was "significant damage" along a number of blocks.

Newsham said a "a very small percentage" of the thousands of demonstrators resorted to violence.

"It's disappointing that it had to happen," Newsham said, praising how officers responded. "We knew this was going to be a long day. ... Anyone who thinks they can come here and break the law, we will take them into custody."

Mayor Muriel Bowser tweeted that she respects the rights of protesters but "will not condone crime and vandalism which are the antithesis of what we hope to accomplish today." She also wrote: "To those of you visiting Washington, D.C. we welcome you but we cannot allow you to destroy our neighborhoods."

Before Inauguration Day, the DisruptJ20 coalition, named after the date of the inauguration, had promised that people participating in its actions in Washington would attempt to shut down the celebrations, risking arrest when necessary.

Trump supporter Brett Ecker said the protesters were frustrating but weren't going to put a damper on his day.

"They're just here to stir up trouble," said the 36-year-old public school teacher. "It upsets me a little bit that people choose to do this, but yet again, it's one of the things I love about this country."

Many protesters participated in nonviolent demonstrations Friday. One man brought three llamas named Shay, Tragically Cute and Thaddeus from a farm in Lancaster, Pa. Other groups protested silently, letting their signs speak for them.

"I just wanted my voice to be heard," said Sharae Cloak, who stood quietly with two friends. "It's a sad day in America, in the world. I didn't want to be one of those people who complains and sits at home."

Friday's protests spread across the nation.

In San Francisco, thousands formed a human chain on the Golden Gate Bridge and chanted "Love Trumps hate." In the city's financial district, a few hundred protesters blocked traffic outside an office building partly owned by Trump.

In Atlanta, protests converged at City Hall and a few hundred people chanted and waved signs protesting Trump, denouncing racial prejudice and police brutality, and expressing support for immigrants, Muslims and the Black Lives Matter movement.

In Nashville, half a dozen protesters chained themselves to the doors of the Tennessee Capitol. Hundreds also sat in a 10-minute silent protest at a park while Trump took the oath of office. Organizers led a prayer, sang patriotic songs and read the Declaration of Independence aloud.

In the Pacific Northwest, demonstrators in Portland, Ore., burned U.S. flags, and students at Portland State University walked out of classes. About 200 protesters gathered on the Capitol steps in Olympia, Wash., carrying signs that included the messages "Resist Trump" and "Not My Problem." Olympia police reported about 100 marchers causing some traffic disruptions downtown, and protesters also marched in Seattle.

The demonstrations won't end when Trump takes up residence in the White House.

A Women's March on Washington is planned for today. Christopher Geldart, the District of Columbia's homeland security director, has said 1,800 buses have registered to park in the city today, which could mean nearly 100,000 people coming in just by bus.

Information for this article was contributed by Jessica Gresko, Michael Biesecker, Jack Gillum, Steve Peoples, Alan Suderman, Matthew Barakat, Alanna Durkin Richer, Luis Alonso Lugo and staff members of The Associated Press and by Theresa Vargas, Taylor Hartz and Peter Hermann of The Washington Post.

A Section on 01/21/2017

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