For the most part, those protesting President Donald Trump on Inauguration Day did so peacefully—but a couple hundred “anti-fascist” protesters marred events in the nation’s capital when they began smashing storefronts and bus stops, lighting fires, and hurling objects at police.
At the time, 230 people were arrested for rioting, which forced law enforcement to use flash-bang grenades and pepper spray. And now, at least 214 people have been indicted on felony rioting charges, CNN reports.
On Tuesday, a grand jury in DC charged five individuals. This was in addition to the 209 other defendants who've been indicted on rioting charges earlier this month. […]
The indictment accuses the defendants of using a tactic called "Black Bloc" in which people conceal their identities with dark or black clothing and accessories such as scarves, sunglasses, helmets and masks.
They assaulted a limousine driver, smashed windows of local businesses, destroyed a government vehicle and committed "violent and destructive acts," according to the indictment.
The defendants also caused disruption by chanting “F*** it up,” “F*** Capitalism,” and “Whose streets, our streets” as they traveled around the city, the indictment states.
If convicted, the protesters charged with felony rioting could face up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of $25,000.