WASHINGTON, D.C. — Black Lives Matter protesters and rioters marched through the Adams Morgan and DuPont Circle neighborhoods and caused some mayhem on Thursday evening, prompting some to voice their unhappiness at the scene they caused.
In addition to smashing items, some in the crowd pulled sidewalk objects out into the street and set a few fires.
Having a socially distant bite in 18th St in DC and these jerks come through breaking things in an area filled with small businesses, Ethiopian restaurants and BLM supporters. They set fires and generally were spoiled brat children. pic.twitter.com/3kVqrL4R7i
— Jasmine Sante (@mjsante) August 14, 2020
Gentrifiers our of chocolate city #blacklivesmatter #dcprotest pic.twitter.com/IarjFPNsqG
— All Out DC (@alloutdc202) August 14, 2020
More DC police arrive in Adams Morgan as groups of BLM protesters — some lighting property on fire and spray painting “defund MPD” — walk the streets. pic.twitter.com/a5ZrsYLtkI
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) August 14, 2020
D.C. police response was swift after unlawful actions were taken. They kettled a majority of those in the crowd and arrested them. To keep agitators away from the scene, D.C. police set up a perimeter around sections of 18th Street. When a police van, filled with those who were arrested, tried to leave, agitators tried to block the road, forcing the police officers to push them away.
Tensions have flared after protesters turned into agitators after they tried to block the DC van that was filled with people who were arrested in the Adams Morgan neighborhood. DC police had to push away the people who were blocking the road. pic.twitter.com/TRs68Cy6WS
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) August 14, 2020
We facilitate daily peaceful demonstrations in DC. Overnight, intentional fires were set & property destroyed. When this occurs, our members have a responsibility to take action.
— DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) August 14, 2020
At this time, 41 individuals were arrested for Felony Rioting & Assault on Police Officer offenses. pic.twitter.com/GbpWxYMjXm
One black bystander voiced his support for the police because he said they are the only ones who are willing to risk their lives to save others. He debated the BLM protesters before leaving. A black woman became frustrated because she was unable to get to her husband since he was at a building within the perimeter. She told some protesters that defunding the police was a bad idea and that the protesters' actions were doing more harm than good.
The other moment was when a black woman voiced her frustration because she was unable to get to her husband since he was in the area where police were arresting people. She said defunding the police was a bad idea, adding the protesters were doing more harm than good. pic.twitter.com/wK7WWkQp0Y
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) August 14, 2020
