Violent protests break out in Washington after Trump’s inauguration

Following the inauguration ceremony of Donald Trump as US president, there were violent protests on some streets in Washington DC.

The protesters smashed windows, damaged cars and threw rocks at the police.

The police said the protesters ignited isolated fires and were armed with crowbars and hammers.

According to CNN, two police officers were injured and rushed to the hospital while the protest lasted.

The DC police said they had arrested 95 people as at 2pm — two hours after Trump’s swearing-in.

“Acting in a concerted effort [protesters] engaged in acts of vandalism and several instances of destruction of property,” the police said in a statement.

“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.

“During the incident, police vehicles were damaged and two uniformed officers sustained minor injuries from coordinated attacks by members of the group that were attempting to avoid arrest.”

Earlier, about 50 protesters sat down on the road in an attempt to block Trump’s supporters from entering a secured area to watch the swearing-in ceremony.

Lysander Reid-Powell, a 20-year-old student from New Mexico, said the country was going in a “disturbing way”, hence, needed to be part of the resistance.

“I think Donald Trump is a fascist, and it’s very easy for people, especially people who are in pain, to slip into fascism,” Reid-Powell said.

“We could really see our country go in a disturbing way, and so I want to obstruct that as best I can and be a part of the resistance.”