Donald Trump Protests: 217 Arrests in Washington, DC, 6 Officers Injured

WASHINGTON, DC — There were 217 arrests on Friday in response to protests in Washington, D.C. as President Donald Trump was inaugurated just a few blocks away. Interim Metropolitan Police Chief Peter Newsham said six city officers suffered minor injuries — three of those officers suffered head injuries when objects were thrown at them.

Some businesses were boarding up broken windows as Washington, D.C. Mid-afternoon, debris was set on fire in the middle of the road near 13th and K streets, followed by flash-bang grenades thrown in response by law enforcement. That would be followed later by a limousine and a Chevy suburban on fire. Both fires were put out, and police moved in to disperse the crowd.

City officials stressed in a press conference Friday evening that the violence and vandalism was the result of a small group. "We welcome visitors to our city," said Mayor Muriel Bowser. "But we will not tolerate the destruction of our neighborhoods. And we will not tolerate violence against our police officers and the thousands who have joined them."

Videos and images shared of the earlier incident by The Washington Post staff from windows shows protesters fleeing a burning pile in the middle of the street and police beginning to chase them and unleashing flash-grenades in response.

Other protests in the afternoon included marchers chanting "No KKK, no fascist USA, no Trump." There was also one large naked man walking around in the chaos.

MORE: Demonstrations Pop Up Across Country

Photos and reporting by Dan Taylor