WASHINGTON — Protesters, including the DisruptJ20 organization, descended on the pro-Trump “DeploraBall” event Thursday night outside the National Press Club.
A large police presence was on hand, and pepper spray was used on some protesters.
An estimated crowd of several hundred gathered outside the club, located near the corner of F and 14th Streets. Police formed a line to keep protestors back — and to clear a path for people going into the ball as protesters hurled insults and chants at them. A few fires were set in the street as well.
“We have to be out here saying no, or we will not have any democracy at all if we don’t resist,” said one protester, who had traveled to D.C. from Chicago.
A DeploraBall attendee, who had traveled to D.C. from North Carolina, didn’t believe the protesters had anything to worry about.
“I don’t think they have as much to worry about as they think they do,” he said. “They have the sense of dread about where the country is going and how it will change, and I don’t see that happening.”
Protestors walking in 14th St. past F Street where Nat’l Press Club is @WTOP pic.twitter.com/oWe99o9sOk
— Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) January 20, 2017
F & 14th @WTOP pic.twitter.com/G9kgrroZw5
— Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) January 20, 2017
Outside the National Press Club where the Deploraball starts later @WTOP pic.twitter.com/VljQJ4DP2l
— Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) January 20, 2017
Gas being deployed -many protestors moving back @WTOP pic.twitter.com/l9ON6Df0X1
— Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) January 20, 2017
Police have blocked off a large section of sidewalk near Press Building so Deploraball attendees can avoid protestors @WTOP pic.twitter.com/I7FGYM0Uhg
— Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) January 20, 2017
Projections on the front of the National Press Building @WTOP pic.twitter.com/QHOkW12ha2
— Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) January 20, 2017
Now a fire’s been lit in the middle of F Street @WTOP pic.twitter.com/YSxLY02RhW
— Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) January 20, 2017