Windows have been smashed, trash cans and cars set on fire and more than 90 people arrested in clashes between demonstrators and police at the inauguration of Donald Trump in Washington D.C.
Dramatic images shared on social media showed a limousine set ablaze, with the phrase ‘WE THE PEOPLE’ spray painted on its side, as plumes of black smoke rose above 13th and K streets.
Because blowing up some random guy’s limousine makes a difference… #Inauguration pic.twitter.com/NpBq8mBed7
— FsuAtl (@FSU_ATL) January 20, 2017
A limousine burns on K Street during protests against the inauguration of Donald Trump. #Inauguration2017 pic.twitter.com/BqcZWIrrRl
— chris dilts (@chrisdilts) January 20, 2017
Per reports in the Washington Post, protesters hurled objects including “concrete blocks and bricks” at law enforcement,while officers in riot gear and shields used smoke, flash bang devices and pepper spray to disperse crowds.
Acting D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham told CNN that the violence was relatively confined and that the majority of protests around the city were peaceful, adding:
“We have been pointing out all along that this is a very isolated incident and by and large everything is going peacefully and a lot of folks have come to the city to enjoy this historic day, not only the Capitol but walking all around the city.”
D.C. police earlier said that a particular group of protesters:
“… acting in a concerted effort engaged in acts of vandalism and several instances of destruction of property. More specifically, the group damaged vehicles, destroyed the property of multiple businesses, and ignited smaller isolated fires while armed with crowbars, hammers, and asps … Pepper spray and other control devices were used to control the criminal actors and protect persons and property.”
Source: CNN / Washington Post.
Photo: Spencer Platt / Getty.
