Protesters took to the streets of Washington, D.C. on the eve of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration, chanting "No Trump! No KKK! No fascist USA!" outside of a party for high-rolling Trump supporters dubbed the "DeploraBall."
The demonstrations were met with clouds of tear gas and walls of riot police.
The gala, held at the National Press Club, was filled with Trump supporters in suits, bow ties, and ballgowns. The rarified nature of the event was at one point mocked by the anti-fascist protesters with chants of "Racist bow ties!"
#DeploraBall entrants passing through behind cops being serenaded ("Racist bow ties") pic.twitter.com/WMtbAsKwpe
— Greg Krieg (@GregJKrieg) January 20, 2017
The demonstrations, some organized by the anti-inaugural coalition "Disrupt J20," were creative: a giant inflatable elephant, representing the Republican Party, was adorned with a banner labeling it "Racism," while the declaration "Impeach predatory president" was projected onto the National Press Club building:
"Impeach predatory president" projected onto National Press Club as #DeploraBall parties #DisruptJ20 pic.twitter.com/fi5As7UOLp
— Alexander Rubinstein (@AlexR_DC) January 20, 2017
Photos and video from the night shows protesters met with militarized force at various security checkpoints, with tear gas sprayed so indiscriminately that streets were filled with clouds of the noxious gas.
This is despite evidence that the demonstrations were largely peaceful, although some protesters at one point set fire to Trump campaign signs and pushed back against the onslaught of tear gas from the police.
Journalists on the scene posted extensive footage of the aggressive police onslaught on Twitter:
Anti-fascist protesters clash with police and #Trump supporters outside #DeploraBall in Washington DC night before #inauguration #disruptj20 pic.twitter.com/O0DpwzUn0S
— Unicorn Riot (@UR_Ninja) January 20, 2017
Officer yelled "Run motherf*cker, run" before firing pepper spray directly at somebody's face last night at the #DeploraBall #DisruptJ20 pic.twitter.com/sIrumxuAeH
— Alexander Rubinstein (@AlexR_DC) January 20, 2017
Officer in riot gear just ran into crowd and let off a canister of tear gas #DeploraBall ... this guy just took pepper spray in the face pic.twitter.com/viTtSXJ8kR
— Greg Krieg (@GregJKrieg) January 20, 2017
Police fire off more pepper spray. Girl hit, medic called. #DeploraBall #DisruptJ20 pic.twitter.com/FO9Qi1mgi0
— Alexander Rubinstein (@AlexR_DC) January 20, 2017
Protests and riot police have returned to the same streets today, as the country braces for the inauguration of the 45th president.
