Police in Washington said 217 protesters were arrested in the nation’s capital on Inauguration Day for assaulting police officers and rioting downtown.
Interim D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham told reporters at a press conference on Friday that the department is certain the 400 to 500 people involved in one specific protest on 13th Street N.W. were “organized and intentional.” Demonstrators did not protest peacefully, he said. Instead, a “large percent” of the group was “armed with crowbars and hammers.”
Six officers sustained injuries as a result of protesters throwing rocks and other objects at the police, who were dressed in riot gear. Three of those had head wounds. Store fronts and vehicles were also damaged.
“We are very certain those persons involved in the criminal acts earlier today came to our city with the intent,” Newsham added.
The Women’s March will take place in Washington on Saturday. Some of those involved in Friday’s violent protests are believed to be affiliated with an anarchist group.
