Hundreds of thousands of people from across the US and around the world flocked to downtown Washington, DC to see Donald Trump become the 45th president of the United States ‒ or to express their discontent with the fact.
For a day, the American capital turned into an arena of protests and celebrations. As with many events that concern Trump, January 20 is expected to be nothing like a normal inauguration.
RT's team is bringing you all the spectrum of the day.
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21 January 2017
At least 217 protesters have been arrested across the US so far, Reuters reports, citing police.
Around 100 protesters smashed the windows of downtown businesses in Washington, including a Starbucks, a Bank of America building, and a McDonald's.
“They began to destroy property, throw objects at people, through windows. A large percentage of this small group was armed with crowbars and hammers,” the city's interim police chief, Peter Newsham, said, as cited by AP.
Protesters in Washington held signs reading “Resist Trump Climate Justice Now,” ”Let Freedom Ring,” and “Free Palestine.”
A shooting marked protests which turned violent at the University of Washington in Seattle. The local fire department has confirmed that one adult male with a “possible life threatening injury” was taken to the hospital.
“A person with a suspected gunshot wound in the abdomen was removed from the crowd in the protest in Red Square and taken to Harborview MC,” the University of Washington said in a statement.
Police in Portland use flash grenades to disperse the crowds in Pioneer Square, where hundreds of protesters still remain, despite police warnings.
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump danced to Frank Sinatra's 'My Way' at the inaugural ball.
Trump thanked the crowd, and asked them if he should continue tweeting. "The enemies keep saying, 'oh, that's terrible,' but you know it's a way of bypassing dishonest media, right?"
Portland riot police are urging protesters to stop blocking Pioneer Square and leave. Over loudspeakers, police threatened to use "impact weapons," which can include long range acoustic devices, or LRADs.
Police make last arrests before clearing protesters off the Burnside Bridge in Portland.
A class-action lawsuit against DC police for excessive force during inauguration protests was filed late Friday on behalf of Colorado defense attorney Benjamin Carraway.
California's state capital, Sacramento is also gearing up for protests.
Despite heavy rain, anti-Trump activists are gathering in downtown San Francisco.
Large crowds continue to demonstrate in Chicago.
Protesters started to flock the streets of downtown Portland, Oregon.
Around 2,000 activists took to the streets of Minneapolis, Minnesota hours after President Donald Trump’s inauguration.
Protesters chant “Resist from Day One!” as several burned an effigy of Trump.
Riot police in Washington DC are trying to disperse protesters from inauguration venue.
People are on the streets of New Heaven, Connecticut, protesting against Donald Trump's policies.
Riot police take rest on cleared street as the remains of limo torched by protesters is towed away.
Crowds of protesters still gathered on K street where police put out large fire.
Police block off streets as protesters gather in front of smoldering fire.
20 January 2017
Protesters burn a Trump tee-shirt on K street
Mayor Bowser and Chief Newsham say that police arrested 217 protesters during the inauguration. Six officers sustained injuries, all of them are “minor and non-life threatening.”
As police in riot gear line K Street north of McPherson Square, protesters chant "No justice, no peace, no fascist police" as well as "Hands up, don't shoot" and "No Trump, no KKK, no fascist USA."
A 'Deport Trump' mural has been put up by the protesters in McPherson Square.
Meanwhile, a Trump supporter heckles CNN at the media stands outside the White House.
Riot police are pushing protesters back on K Street as the inauguration parade reaches the White House.
One journalist described downtown Washington, DC as "a war zone" after protesters set a parked limousine on fire.
Meanwhile, just a few blocks away, the inaugural parade arrived at the White House.
Some of the images of today's protests in Washington DC against the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States.
Josh Fox, director of the fracking documentary Gasland, spoke at the rally on McPherson Square.
"Do it with love. That's the way we win this," Fox concluded.
Anti-Trump protesters have also descended on downtown Los Angeles, California.
Trump's critics keep pointing out that Barack Obama's 2009 inauguration was much better attended, and that this inauguration has attracted a large number of protesters.
Larry King, who has been hosting RT America's inauguration coverage today, had his car vandalized by protesters.
Meanwhile in San Francisco, California, demonstrators blocked the entrance to Uber headquarters, calling the company "Trump collaborators."
The inauguration parade has begun with President Trump reviewing the ceremonial military units.
While some protesters have clashed violently with the police, the main event at McPherson Square is featuring speakers and musical acts.
The protesters' rhetoric and actions seem to resonate among the disaffected Democrats; not so much among Trump's supporters.
Protesters chanted "No Trump, No KKK, No fascist USA" just a few blocks away from the inaugural parade on Pennsylvania Avenue.
Opposition to President Trump isn't just on the streets, however.
Trump's critics were quick to claim that the president's inaugural speech channeled a Batman villain, and that the new presidential Twitter account used a photo taken at the inauguration of his predecessor.
The inauguration parade is about to begin along Pennsylvania Avenue, as riot-geared police hold off protesters just blocks away.
Protest organizers say they would have done the same had Hillary Clinton been elected.
Organizers of the protest to disrupt the inauguration are saying that a vehicle just ran through a group of protesters.
We are trying to get confirmation of this.
The Metropolitan Washington Police Department has issued an official statement on the incident earlier on Friday, accusing the protesters of vandalizing property. The group arrested earlier at 12th and L streets Northwest was charged with rioting.
Arrested alongside the protesters was RT America's Alexander Rubinstein. We are still trying to get information on his well-being and whereabouts.
There have been more than 95 arrests on Inauguration Day so far, according to CNN.
We now have live footage of protesters and police clashing in downtown Washington, DC. Teargas is flowing and rocks are being thrown, as police pushes anti-Trump protesters off the streets.
One of the officers appears to be injured, and was being escorted towards the rear of the police line.
When societies disintegrate, messianic politicians appear, said Chris Hedges, host of RT's On Contact.
Trump's inaugural speech was heavy on "Christianized, nationalist rhetoric" and unlike any other by an incoming president, Hedges said, adding he hoped for a more conciliatory tone from the new president.
Hedges compared the current situation in the US to Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, comparing Trump to political leaders like Serbia's Slobodan Milosevic. When they cannot deliver on their promises, Hedges said, demagogues stoke conflict.
Meanwhile, protesters and police are clashing on 12th and L streets NW, just north of the inaugural parade route.
The White House has published President Donald Trump’s list of priorities. It talks about a commitment to fighting Islamic terrorism, eliminating harmful energy policies, and building a wall to stop illegal immigrants and drugs from 'pouring' into the country.
Washington police made "numerous" arrests on Friday, as protests during Donald Trump's inauguration turned violent, the DC police department has said. Most of those detained were charged with rioting and vandalism.
President Donald Trump signs legislation allowing retired Gen. James Mattis to serve as Defense Secretary
Hundreds of demonstrators "died" in the streets of DC protesting against newly sworn in president Trump
It never rains but it pours.
Protests turned violent during Inauguration Day with windows being smashed around DC.
Newly sworn in President Trump leaves inauguration ceremony
Rabbi Marvin Hier, head of Los Angeles’ Simon Wiesenthal Center, is the first rabbi to appear at a presidential inauguration since 1985.
Trump: "We will unite the civilized world against radical terrorism, which we will eradicate."
Trump: "We will not impose our way of life, but we will shine for others to follow"
Anti-Trump protests 'greet' Trump fans at inauguration entrance
Trump: "We are transferring the power from Washington, DC, and giving it back to you, the people."
Donald Trump is being sworn in as US president
Mike Pence is sworn in as vice president
"We've always been a forward looking people," said Senator Chuck Schumer (D-New York), making a veiled jab at Trump's campaign slogan "Make America great again."
President-elect Donald Trump arrives at the inauguration ceremony
RT America's Alexander Rubinstein is being arrested while covering the protests near McPherson Square in Washington, DC. He was in the crowd, covering protesters when police circled a group of people. Rubinstein is among the group being arrested at 12th and L Streets NW.
See a 360-degree view of the National Mall ahead of the ceremony:
During Obama's first inauguration, people were packed in as far back as the Washington Monument at 16th Street.
Although the Metro system experienced track issues on Thursday, things were running smoothly on Friday morning with lots of extra security personnel, RT America's Aliza Krichevsky reported.
Hillary Clinton has arrived at the National Mall for the president-elect’s swearing in.
Trump supporters en route to the inauguration of Donald Trump were blocked from passing through a checkpoint barricaded by Black Lives Matters and #DisruptJ20 protesters. Clashes have been reported between protesters and supporters of the president-elect.
British Labour Party Leader Jeremy Corbyn has a message for Donald Trump.
Protesters burned a Blue Lives Matter flag and Trump-Pence signs at an anti-capitalist rally held in DC before the inauguration.
Vice-president-elect Mike Pence praised Joe Biden and his wife Jill, thanking them for their support.
President Obama greets President-elect Trump at the White House as part of the traditional, though unofficial, handing over of the keys to the presidential home.
Anti-Trump protesters have lined up in front of police near the Capitol.
President Obama has tweeted some choice last words, calling for unity and belief in the power of change from US citizens as he prepares to hand over to Donald Trump.
Vice-President-elect Mike Pence shared photos from this morning’s traditional inaugural day mass at St. John’s Church.
Barack Obama has left the Oval Office for the last time as president of the United States of America.
The queue of people waiting to receive free pot has grown drastically – and supplies are running dangerously low.
Joints are being handed out at barricades.
Donald Trump’s motorcade is on the move through the cordoned-off streets of Washington DC.
Bikers for Trump have already been involved in scuffles at barricades.
The soon-to-be first lady is wearing American designer Ralph Lauren for inauguration day. There was much speculation as to who would dress Melania Trump after several US designers publically refused.
People have begun to queue for free marijuana joints in preparation for a pro-pot group protest which plans to spark 4,200 joints during Trump’s speech.
READ MORE: Pro-pot activists to ‘light up’ 4,200 free joints during Trump inauguration speech
The National Guard have positioned dump trucks filled with sand behind several major roadblocks to prevent any potential truck attacks.
READ MORE: Truck rams into soldier crowd in Jerusalem, 4 dead, 17 injured (PHOTOS)
RT’s Alexander Rubinstein is on the ground and has witnessed scuffles between protesters at several checkpoints in DC.
One Trump supporter managed to vault the barricades but was unable to reach his wife who was trapped on the other side.
President-elect Donald Trump reportedly left The Blair House just moments ago.
Trump supporters making their way to the inauguration are being blocked by Black Lives Matter demonstrators disrupting the checkpoint, RT’s Alexander Rubenstein reports.
Vice-President-elect Mike Pence has arrived at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Lafayette Square, across from the White House, ahead of the inauguration. Every president since James Madison has attended services at the church at least once.
In addition to Black Lives Matter and LGBT activists, water protectors from the DAPL protests have arrived in the capital to make their voices heard.
Major transportation routes have been disrupted by inauguration security procedures as well as civil protest.
Many have opted to simply stay at home in expectation of widespread civil unrest.
Protests have taken various forms so far, with these LGBT activists opting to continue the dance party which started late Wednesday outside the home of Vice-President-elect Mike Pence.
READ MORE: LGBT 'dance party' protesters march to DC home of VP-elect Mike Pence (VIDEOS)
Minor clashes have broken out between Black Lives Matter protesters and security personnel at one of the checkpoints.
In DC, protesters have begun chaining themselves to barricades which cordon off the official ceremony site in a bid to block people from entering.
Police in Hong Kong have already removed one protester from an anti-Trump rally.
As the ceremony nears, protesters have closed in on checkpoints at multiple locations throughout DC.
Outspoken former Trump campaign manager Kellyanne Conway has appeared on national television this morning to discuss what we can expect from the newly inaugurated president’s address immediately following the ceremony.
“It’s a beautiful elegant address, personally written by Donald Trump and I believe powerfully delivered today. I think that Donald Trump will lay down an important marker to try and unify the country and challenge all of us to follow his lead,” she said this morning.
Today marks a dual celebration for Conway as she marks her 50th birthday.
Protests have already been taking place around the world ahead of the ceremony.
READ MORE: Anti-Trump protesters drop banners from London bridges (VIDEO)
Filmmaker Michael Moore hosted an anti-Trump rally outside Trump Tower in New York last night. "We're standing here, in case you don't know this, in front of the Trump International Hotel and they can hear you in there," Moore told those in attendance.
In keeping with tradition Trump was staying at Blair House in Washington DC the night before inauguration.
Protesters from ‘The Future is Feminist’ moving into position to block entrance checkpoints to the ceremony.
Secret Service reporting power cuts delaying access to the National Mall.
One Trump supporter wasn’t subtle about showing their excitement for inauguration day, proudly displaying their decorated car.
The significant security presence has been well-documented on social media already with traffic checkpoints and bag checks throughout Washington DC. Approximately 8,000 National Guard troops from around the country have been deployed to provide security for the ceremony.
Large crowds are already gathering at the Capitol. Damp and dreary weather is forecast throughout the day.
Military blockades are in place along the inauguration route as crowds of protesters make their way to the city.
The early hours of inauguration day saw protesters clash with police outside the ‘Deploraball, an event organized by Trump supporters in Washington DC.
READ MORE: Trump supporter punched in the head at ‘Deporaball’ (VIDEO)