New clashes between police, anti-Trump protesters in Washington

Black-clad activists smashed store windows and blocked traffic in Washington during US President Donald Trump's inauguration on Friday, and fought with police in riot gear who responded with tear gas and stun grenades.

About 500 people, some wearing masks, marched through the city's downtown, using hammers to claw up chunks of pavement to smash the windows of a Bank of America branch and a McDonald's outlet, all symbols of the American capitalist system.

The various protest groups scattered around the city chanted anti-Trump slogans and carried signs with slogans including "Make Racists Afraid Again," a play on the New York businessman-turned-politician's "Make America Great Again" campaign slogan.

The incident occurred about 90 minutes before Trump was sworn in at the US Capitol a mile and a half (2.4 km) away.

Police detained dozens of people and said they had charged an unspecified number of people with rioting

The group of detainees became a flash point after Trump was sworn in, when a crowd of several hundred that had formed to call for their release turned violent, with some throwing bottles and rocks at police, who responded with tear gas and stun grenades.

CNN reported that 90 people had been arrested.

Two police officers sustained minor injuries from people who were trying to avoid arrest, police said.

"The message I want to send is that Trump does not represent this country. He represents the corporate interests," said Jessica Reznicek, a 35-year-old Roman Catholic aid worker from Des Moines, Iowa, who was part of the protest but did not participate in the violence.

Not far from the White House, protesters scuffled with police, at one point throwing aluminum chairs at an outdoor café. Bob Hrifko, a member of the Bikers for Trump group in town to celebrate the inauguration, was struck in the face when he tried to intervene.

"I know, law and order and all that. We need more order. This ain't right," said Hrifko, who was bleeding from a cut under his eye

source : gulfnews