Protesters descend on ‘DeploraBall’

Dozens of arrests were made outside the DeploraBall, at the National Press Club, the night before President Donald Trump's inauguration. (File, WTOP/Michelle Basch)
Outside Thursday’s DeploraBall, police worked to keep protesters and journalists away from the door. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
Along F Street near the National Press Club, protesters Thursday chanted "No Trump no fascist USA." (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
Along F Street near the National Press Club, protesters Thursday chanted “No Trump no fascist USA.” (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
A protester walks through a cloud of gas sprayed by police following outside the National Press Club Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
A protester walks through a cloud of gas sprayed by police following outside the National Press Club Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
A crowd taunted people arriving for the DeploraBall. Chants included,  "Nazi scum off our streets." (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
A crowd taunted people arriving for the DeploraBall. Chants included, “Nazi scum off our streets.” (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
Protesters scuffle with police after refusing to vacate the sidewalk in front of the National Press Club Building ahead of the presidential inauguration, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Protesters scuffle with police after refusing to vacate the sidewalk in front of the National Press Club Building ahead of the presidential inauguration, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
A large police presence awaited protesters outside the National Press Club, site of Thursday night's DeploraBall. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
A large police presence awaited protesters outside the National Press Club, site of Thursday night’s DeploraBall. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
Trump supporters were also on hand outside the National Press Club Thursday night. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
Trump supporters were also on hand outside the National Press Club Thursday night. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
Costumed bystanders stood near the National Press Club, the site of the DeploraBall. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
Costumed bystanders stood near the National Press Club, the site of the DeploraBall. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
A very large elephant arrived on F Street outside Thursday's Deploraball. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
A very large elephant arrived on F Street outside Thursday’s Deploraball. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
A protester recovers from tear gas outside Thursday's DeploraBall. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
A protester recovers from tear gas outside Thursday’s DeploraBall. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
(WTOP/Michelle Basch)
(WTOP/Michelle Basch)
(1/12)
Dozens of arrests were made outside the DeploraBall, at the National Press Club, the night before President Donald Trump's inauguration. (File, WTOP/Michelle Basch)
Along F Street near the National Press Club, protesters Thursday chanted "No Trump no fascist USA." (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
A protester walks through a cloud of gas sprayed by police following outside the National Press Club Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
A crowd taunted people arriving for the DeploraBall. Chants included,  "Nazi scum off our streets." (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
Protesters scuffle with police after refusing to vacate the sidewalk in front of the National Press Club Building ahead of the presidential inauguration, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
A large police presence awaited protesters outside the National Press Club, site of Thursday night's DeploraBall. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
Trump supporters were also on hand outside the National Press Club Thursday night. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
Costumed bystanders stood near the National Press Club, the site of the DeploraBall. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
A very large elephant arrived on F Street outside Thursday's Deploraball. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)
A protester recovers from tear gas outside Thursday's DeploraBall. (WTOP/Michelle Basch)

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.”

Michelle Basch

Michelle Basch is a reporter turned morning anchor at WTOP News.

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