Donald Trump’s inauguration is set to get any time no, but protesters in Washington D.C. looking to disrupt the pomp and circumstance of Trump’s swearing in have been active since yesterday, when District police officers pepper sprayed demonstrators in front of the National Press Club, the venue for last night’s “DeploraBall,” a sold out inauguration party attended by Trump supporters.
While the “DeploraBall” event was being live-streamed online, hundreds of protesters gathered outside the National Press Club shouting “shame” and huddling around a small bonfire.
According to D.C.’s Fox 5 News, at least one arrest was made last night, as D.C. man Scott Ryan Charney, 34, was charged with conspiracy to commit an assault.
The National Press Club’s president Thomas Burr released a statement about the venue’s involvement with the “DeploraBall”:
"On Jan. 19, the National Press Club will be the venue for a private, client-paid inaugural ball for supporters of President-elect Donald Trump – as we have for incoming presidents of both parties for decades. Inaugural parties are being held at scores of venues in the Washington region as is generally the custom. This is not an event sponsored or endorsed by the National Press Club."
The demonstration was one of many supported by Disrupt J20, the activist group helping to coordinate protests around the inauguration. The group is holding a number of actions today in an effort to blockade and disrupt Trump’s swearing in.
