Thousands of protesters gathered on election night for demonstrations at the White House as the police tightened security around the area, and minor clashes broke out.
The crowd had flocked to Washington DC’s Black Life Matters Plaza, near the White House, during the afternoon, displaying anti-Trump placards as voting continued in many states.
The demonstrations continued till late night and were largely peaceful, although at least one tussle broke out between the police and protesters at around 5.15p, after which one person was arrested, NBC reported.
Demonstrators rally near the White House pasting anti-Trump placards on the fence
(AFP via Getty Images)
The police told the New York Times that the protesters could gather for demonstration but shouldn’t get involved in violent behaviour. Police Chief Peter Newsham said: “We invite anybody that wants to come down here [to] exercise their First Amendment right.”
He added: “We welcome them to come, enjoy themselves and we just ask them not to be involved in any violent behaviour.”
The police had beefed up security arrangements around the White House ahead of election day, and were out in force as demonstrators descended upon the area, pasting anti-Trump messages to the complex’s perimeter fence.
According to US media reports, various groups have been preparing to protest as election results come out in the coming days, with training events held specifically gaming a scenario where Mr Trump refuses to concede a lost election, according to Fox News.
A protester wears a giant Trump head as demonstrators rally near the White House in Washington, DC.
(AFP via Getty Images)
At least six different protest groups have requested permits for demonstrations in DC in the next few days, local officials were quoted as saying.
Police are being deployed in larger numbers across the capital in anticipation of unrest, while a number of luxury stores were pictured boarding up their windows.
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