BREAKING Video: Trump protesters smash windows, start fires

Protests heated up in Washington, D.C., as a crowd of  “anti-Trump” people began breaking the windows out of a local Bank of America.

ABC News reports that protests started sometime after 12 p.m., during President Trump’s inauguration ceremonies. The latest protests is currently underway at 12th and L Street. Pepper spray and flash bombs were reported in the area.

President Trump’s inauguration was expected to draw 900,000 people to the capital city, and 28,000 law enforcement personnel was reported to be dedicated to security for the event — at a cost potentially upwards of $100,000.

Protesters targeted some businesses, including a Starbucks, a McDonald’s, and a Wells Fargo bank, throwing bricks and smashing windows. Ronald Dye, 56, the chief of police at Talladega College in Alabama, told the Telegraph he hid under a table at a Starbucks as the vandals struck.

“They started throwing bricks at first, then they started throwing the trash bin but that didn’t work, then they picked up metal spikes and just started smashing the windows out,” Dye said. “We just got up under the tables. That’s the only thing we could do.”

The Metropolitan Police Department issued a statement about the incident, and assure citizens that the matter is being investigated.

“At approximately 10:30 a.m., an organized group was observed marching south in Northwest Washington. On their way, members of the group acting in a concerted effort engaged in acts of vandalism and several instances of destruction of property. More specifically, the group damaged vehicles, destroyed the property of multiple businesses, and ignited smaller isolated fires while armed with crowbars, hammers, and asps. Preliminary information indicates the group collectively engaged in these criminal acts. MPD members were alerted to the criminal activity, and responded swiftly to contain and detain the involved individuals in the area of 12th and L Streets, NW. At this time, numerous arrests have been made and those individuals have been charged with rioting. Investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

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.”

Protesters smashing windows at Bank of America and Starbucks i…

BREAKING VIDEO: Protesters smashing windows at Bank of America and Starbucks in Downtown DC on Inauguration Day. (Courtesy of Josh Clothiaux)Authorities report two DC police officers have been taken to the hospital from the protest scene.FULL STORY: http://bit.ly/2jghB5j

Posted by ABC 7 News – WJLA on Friday, January 20, 2017

 

[Feature Photo: ABC/Facebook]