Scenes of protest and violence shifted from security checkpoints near the National Mall this morning to downtown D.C., with the epicenter in Franklin Square, where protesters set fire to a limo and garbage cans, smashed cars, and blocked traffic.

As police and demonstrators engaged in increasingly violent confrontations downtown—including the use of pepper spray and sting balls—interim D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham said this evening that police have so far arrested 217 people, charging all of them with rioting. He said that police took pains not to arrest people, noting that, earlier today, there were no arrests at the blockades of security checkpoints.He added that six officers faced minor injuries.

Police deny using flash-bang grenades, though eye witnesses reports and media contest that account. A lawsuit filed on behalf of some of the arrested protesters against MPD alleges officers used chemical irritants, batons, and flash-bang grenades against protesters.

Much of the window smashing occurred during an unpermitted protest that began at 10 a.m. in Logan Circle, called the Anti-Capitalist, Anti-Fascist Bloc.

At a press conference earlier this afternoon, Newsham said that these protesters are responsible for “significant damage in a number of blocks in our city,” including broken windows at a Starbucks, Au Bon Pain, and the Crown Plaza hotel.

“It’s disappointing to us that this had to happen,” he said, also noting that he’s “very, very pleased” by the way Metropolitan Police Department officers responded and took people into custody.

Mayor Muriel Bowser said she approved of the actions undertaken by D.C. Police and other law enforcement officers who came to town for the inauguration. To the protesters, she tweeted, “I respect your right to peacefully protest but the damage that has occurred today is unacceptable and not welcome in D.C.”

Newsham said he wanted to “let people know that’s one group and it’s a very very small percentage” of demonstrators. A few blocks away at McPherson Square, people peacefully listened to speakers, made art, and chanted throughout the day.

In anticipation of arrests, several social justice organizations launched a jail hotline number for the inauguration, in addition to a demonstration guide that advised protesters how to interact with police.

In the afternoon, there was smoke in the streets, repeated explosions, fires on K Street, pepper spray, and police in riot gear moving in on protesters in Franklin Square. Multiple cars were smashed, including a news van that protesters said belongs to Fox News and a limousine.

For a bit, the bedlam seemed to die down. During this time, D.C. riot police remained lined up on K Street by 13th Street NW. In a bizarre moment, performance artist and erstwhile presidential candidate Vermin Supreme, replete with his signature rain boot on his head, approached the line of riot police.

“Is that a nightstick or are you just happy to see me?” Supreme said to the police, and went on to tell the crowd not to worry, because a glitch in the time-space continuum led another person to be inaugurated, though he was the real president. He continued with a short comedy set and led a rendition of the theme song to Mister Roger’s Neighborhood. He left the corner, but remained a fixture at Franklin Square.

But shortly after that, the smashed limousine was set on fire. Protesters and media gathered around the vehicle as the fire grew more intense and the Fire Department arrived to put it out. When demonstrators didn’t move, police employed sting balls on K Street, you could hear loud “booms,” and large groups began sprinting away. Then, when the sounds abated, the crowd would return, and the process would begin again—resembling a human accordion.

Despite online rumors that the limo belonged to Jesse Jackson, a driver named Luis Villarroel claimed ownership of the vehicle. He told USA Today he was dropping off passengers at the Washington Post building when he saw masked people approach.

“This is my business. Why are you destroying my stuff? It took me years to build,” he said.

By 5 p.m., while many remained on K Street, other demonstrators went into Franklin Square for a punk/metal concert. The sound of helicopters could be heard overhead.

Reporting from Rachel Kurzius, Rachel Sadon, Christina Sturdivant, and Emma Whitford. This post has been updated.

Filed Under: arrests, damaged property, disrupt j20, inauguration, inauguration 2017, police, protesters,