Black Lives Matter protesters in Washington, DC, clashed with cops again overnight Sunday as they marched through residential streets, urging locals to “get out of your homes and into the streets.”
A crowd of about 100 gathered around 10 p.m. at Black Lives Matter Plaza near the White House and took off through the Logan Circle neighborhood, the Washington Post reported.
The marchers chanted “No justice, no peace” and “get out of your homes and into the streets” and shone lights into people’s homes. Some set off fireworks and spray painted the street and sidewalks.
The group returned to Black Lives Matter Plaza around 11:30 p.m., with the protests taking a violent turn 30 minutes later.
That’s when cops deployed some type of chemical irritant to break up the group, sending plumes of thick smoke into the air.
Police officers on bikes were called in and were seen tackling demonstrators and swinging their bikes at people, according to the Washington Post. The cops tried to take some into custody and shoved others away from the plaza.
The chaotic night comes after five protesters were arrested during chaotic demonstrations Saturday into Sunday. Two were charged with assault on a police officer.
Police said the “group of individuals, who were intent on damaging property and injuring Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers, began engaging in riotous behavior at Black Lives Matter Plaza and throughout the city,” WUSA 9 reported.
Protesters have descended on the nation’s capital to rally against racial inequality and police brutality following the police killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis in May — as well as the recent police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin.
Some demonstrators harassed Republican National Convention guests as they left the White House last week.
