Washington DC — The briefly peaceful protests have descended into chaos as demonstrators turn on local businesses and began smashing windows and destroying private property.
Smashed windows. pic.twitter.com/yXin6JVMsH
— Byron Tau (@ByronTau) January 20, 2017
To protest their discontent with Donald Trump, some people have taken to destroying the property of innocent business owners. While it is certainly a noble cause to protest one’s disapproval of the President-elect when justified, smashing things does nothing to get across one’s point.
Someone wrecked the glass here near Franklin Square pic.twitter.com/8rKqWKxBJl
— Gideon Resnick (@GideonResnick) January 20, 2017
Now, the peaceful protesters who set out to make a valid point are grouped in with the ones destroying property and all validity and credibility of their cause is now shattered.
Black bloc out in full force in DC v @AshAgony #Inauguration #InaugurationDay #DisruptJ20 #TrumpInauguration #AntiFa pic.twitter.com/mgIRxv6BfM
— Anonymous (@YourAnonCentral) January 20, 2017
Some 500 protesters were seen running through downtown Washington, with some breaking out and destroying property along the way. Naturally, this provoked a police state response and riot police are now going after ALL the protesters, not just the ones causing damage.
People inside Starbucks at the anarchist smashed the window of pic.twitter.com/IRuwEZ0TuE
— Lee Stranahan (@stranahan) January 20, 2017
There have been several reports of journalists being detained and arrested as well. RT’s Alexander Rubinstein reported being hit with a flash grenade before he was arrested, along with others, while covering the protests.
Lots of smashy smashy now #disruptj20 pic.twitter.com/C8vc9UAjs1
— Shay Horse (@HuntedHorse) January 20, 2017
anti-capitalist #disruptj20 march https://t.co/8Xt2iOMwfG
— Alexander Rubinstein (@AlexR_DC) January 20, 2017
As the inauguration officially gets underway, DC is in utter chaos as riot cops deploy tear gas and kettle protesters.