Clashes in Washington as Trump Takes Office, 200+ Arrested
Local Editor
Black-clad activists smashed store windows and blocked traffic in Washington during US President Donald Trump's inauguration Friday and fought with police in riot gear who responded with tear gas and stun grenades.
Elsewhere, spirited 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," "Free Palestine."
About 500 people, some wearing masks, marched through the city's downtown, using hammers to claw up chunks of pavement to smash the windows of a Bank of America branch and a McDonald's outlet - all symbols of the American capitalist system.
The various protest groups scattered around the city chanted anti-Trump slogans and carried signs with slogans including "Make Racists Afraid Again," a play on the New York businessman-turned-politician's "Make America Great Again" campaign slogan.
The violence occurred about 90 minutes before Trump was sworn in at the US Capitol 2.4 km away.
Police detained dozens of people and said they had charged an unspecified number of people with rioting.
The group of detainees became a flash point after Trump was sworn in, when a crowd of several hundred that had formed to call for their release then turned violent, with some throwing bottles and rocks at police, who responded with tear gas and stun grenades.
Protests reached fever pitch as demonstrators turn violent, smashing windows and throwing objects around DC. More than 200 people were arrested, according to police.
Just ahead of Trump's swearing-in, some 500 protesters tore through downtown Washington, smashing symbols of capitalist America along the way.
The windows of a Bank of America branch, a McDonald's restaurant and a Starbucks were among the targets.
Police used flash grenades, tear gas and pepper spray to subdue and arrest members of the crowd.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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