Anti-Trump Protestors Made Their Voices Heard at Pro-Trump ‘DeploraBall’ Event

Protesters were pepper-sprayed by police.

BURLINGTON VT  JANUARY 07 Protesters rally outside of the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts where Republican...
BURLINGTON, VT - JANUARY 07: Protesters rally outside of the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts where Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump is hosting an event on January 7, 2016 in Burlington, Vermont. The line to enter the event wrapped around the venue and down multiple streets and multiple groups of protesters were present. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images)Getty Images

Donald Trump's inauguration weekend kicked off with major protests outside an event hosted by his supporters, many of whom are believed to be a part of the white nationalist "alt-right" movement, Politico reports.

Anti-Trump protesters swarmed the National Press Club in Washington D.C., where Trump supporters, some associated with the "alt-right" movement, were hosting the "DeploraBall," an event celebrating Donald Trump's impending inauguration. The party's name is a play on Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's comment where she said that "half" of Trump supporters were a "basket of deplorables."

Demonstrators carried signs and chanted "Nazi scum" at anyone who entered the premises, according to NBC News. Several people initiated "smoke devices" in the crowd and burned pro-Trump apparel. They also projected messages onto the building, including "Impeach the predatory president" and "bragging about grabbing a woman's genitals," Politico reported.

According to The Washington Post, police showed up at the protest and proceeded to pepper spray the crowds after they allegedly threw trash at Trump supporters leaving the event. Despite the clash, police reported that they arrested only one man in connection to the protest, who was charged with "conspiracy to commit assault."

The protest raised concerns about law enforcement interactions during the weekend, especially after it was announced that D.C. police officers wouldn't be required to wear body cameras throughout the inauguration weekend. One major fear is that officials may use excessive force due to the lack of accountability, but the American Civil Liberties Union also noted that the measure keeps people from being monitored during their protests, allowing First Amendment rights to stay intact.


The DeploraBall demonstration is only the start of what's to be a fiery weekend filled with protests against the soon-to-be president. As the inauguration continues, even more protests have begun, including demonstrators chaining themselves to inauguration site checkpoints so that people cannot get through. Additionally, the Women's March, which is estimated to bring crowds of at least 200,000 people to Washington, D.C. alone, is taking place on Saturday with over 600 "sister marches" — and counting — getting ready to march that day as well.

Related: We Rounded Up These 43 Lawmakers' EXACT Reasons for Boycotting Trump’s Inauguration

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