Dozens arrested in Washington protests

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) – Protests erupted Friday in the nation’s capital shortly after Donald Trump was sworn in as 45th President of the United States.

Hundreds of protestors set trash bins on fire, charged police and vandalized parked vehicles just blocks from the Capitol building where the inauguration ceremony took place for the new president.

Police said at least 95 people were arrested.

One protestor, 26-year-old Jan Getjans from the Washington area, criticized demonstrators who damaged property, calling it "an unprecedented moment”.

"I am from this city, am I going to condone the construction of this city? No," Getjans said.

Getjans described protestors as an "extremely diverse group" that includes some who "are OK with property destruction" but it is "unfair to characterize this afternoon by property destruction", he said.

It is "not the overwhelming majority of what's going on today, nor is it the theme," he said.

Getjans also called Trump an "overwhelmingly unpopular" president.