'Deploraball' Attendees Chased, Beaten by DisruptJ20 Protesters

Debra Heine | 12:12 AM on January 20, 2017

People stage a rally in Washington on Jan. 19, 2017, against the upcoming inauguration of Donald Trump as president. Hundreds of thousands of protesters are expected to flood the capital on Jan. 21 for a mass demonstration. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Protesters from the DisruptJ20 coalition set fires, hollered obscene anti-Trump chants, chased Trump supporters, set off smoke bombs, and fought with police Thursday night outside the National Press Club, where the pro-Trump “Deploraball” was being held. Hundreds of anarchists, communists, and socialists from as many as 75 different left-wing organizations physically resisted police officers as they tried to clear the sidewalk. Many of the protesters hurled obscenities at police, while others gave them the finger.

According to The Hill, there were several arrests.

https://twitter.com/Breaking911/status/822280349216636930

A protester winces in pain after being pepper sprayed by police during a protest ahead of the presidential inauguration, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Mob of anarchists pushback at police in front of Deploraball at National Press Club building. pic.twitter.com/ZvmqIk5mG1

— Neil W. McCabe (@NeilWMcCabe) January 20, 2017

Despite the heavy police presence, the night did not go smoothly for all of the Trump supporters who attended the “Deploraball.”

Some journalists on the ground captured some of the chaos that ensued ‏as they were coming and going from the premises. Some Trump supporters were allegedly assaulted.

NBC D.C. reporter Shomari Stone reported that protesters set off “smoke devices.”

#BREAKING. Smoke devices. I'm at 14th St. & F St. Protesters set off "smoke devices." Some scream "F- Trump." #Inauguration #NBC4DC pic.twitter.com/cxyvH3Dv2Z

— Shomari Stone (@shomaristone) January 20, 2017

Marchers in DC with anarchist flags, swarm and jostle with Trump supporter. pic.twitter.com/qUaS2VBkmL

— Neil W. McCabe (@NeilWMcCabe) January 20, 2017

#DeploraBall attendees chased by #DisruptJ20 protesters pic.twitter.com/F9sPk80fHf

— Alex Rubinstein (@RealAlexRubi) January 20, 2017

Barricade thrown into street near by #Deploraball #DisruptJ20 pic.twitter.com/6Kv7H8LQ77

— Alex Rubinstein (@RealAlexRubi) January 20, 2017

#DeploraBall attendee beaten, cops whip out more pepper spray #DisruptJ20 pic.twitter.com/y1sbvIWOZi

— Alex Rubinstein (@RealAlexRubi) January 20, 2017

If Thursday night was any indication, police are really going to have their hands full on Inauguration Day.