WATCH: Anti-Trump Unrest in Washington, DC
[SKYNEWS] Riot police have used tear gas and stun grenades to break up violent protests in Washington DC on Donald Trump’s inauguration day.
Video showed loud bangs as lines of officers penned in a group of demonstrators, many wearing black hoods or face masks, who had earlier smashed shop and car windows.
People could be seen running from downtown Washington with their arms held up as the riot police moved in.
Around 150 protesters were thought to be involved in clashes at a Bank of America branch and a McDonald’s restaurant before the inauguration ceremony.
Protesters clash with police, who used stun grenades to break up the demonstrations
The group chanted “hands up, don’t shoot” as they were cordoned off.
More than 90 people have been arrested during the clashes and two police officers have been injured. Reports said some protesters had broken up chunks of pavement to use as missiles.
Sky News US Correspondent Hannah Thomas-Peter, speaking from the scene, said a large line of police officers was moving the protesters away with a National Guard Humvee was at the site of the clashes.
She said: “This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for the police. There are a number of corners they have now gained control of because they are “kettling” the protesters very successfully.
“If there is a security organization here in the US it probably has a presence here on the streets of DC.”
The US Secret Service, Washington police and other law enforcement agencies have around 28,000 officers in a roughly three square mile area of downtown DC.
The violence took place blocks away from the parade route Mr Trump will travel along as he goes to the White House following his inauguration.