Protesters turn violent on inauguration day in Washington DC

WASHINGTON (AP) - Police have used pepper spray and made a number of arrests in a confrontation with protesters in downtown Washington, D.C.

At one point, police gave chase to a group of about 100 protesters who smashed windows of downtown businesses including a Starbucks, Bank of America and McDonald's as they denounced capitalism and Donald Trump.

Police in riot gear used pepper spray from large canisters and eventually cordoned off the protesters.

FOX2 NEWS NOW IS LIVE ON FACEBOOK. WATCH THE  LIVE COVERAGE HERE:

They say the demonstrators damaged vehicles, destroyed property and set small fires while armed with crowbars and hammers. According to police, "numerous" people were arrested and charged with rioting.

The confrontation happened about an hour before Trump was sworn in and began giving his inaugural address. Several hours later, the crowd of protesters still at the scene had grown to about 1,000. Some wore gas masks, and had arms chained together.

The DisruptJ20 coalition, named after the date of the inauguration, had promised that people participating in its actions in Washington would attempt to shut down the celebrations, risking arrest when necessary.

Earlier, peaceful demonstrations had unfolded at several security checkpoints near the Capitol as police helped ticket-holders get through to the inaugural ceremony.

%@AP Links

224-r-18-(Demonstrators chanting while carrying signs reading "You Don't Own Me" and "Love Trumps Hate" signs, at an anti-Trump inauguration protest near the National Mall)-"no more complacency (cheers fade)"-Sound of demonstrators chanting while carrying signs that read "You Don't Own Me" and "Love Trumps Hate" at an anti-Trump protest near the National Mall. (20 Jan 2017)

<

223-r-23-(Demonstrators chanting "No justice, no peace!" and "Black Lives Matter", at inauguration protest near the National Mall)--Demonstrators chanting "No justice, no peace" and "Black Lives Matter" at an anti-Trump inauguration protest near the National Mall. (20 Jan 2017)

<