At least 217 were arrested, and six officers had minor injuries, as protesters and law enforcement clashed during inaugural festivities in the nation's capital Friday.

The 217 people were accused of rioting during inauguration protests, Washington's police chief said.

Violent protests broke out just hours after President Donald Trump was sworn in at the Capitol. Police clad in black helmets, carrying clear shields and batons, lined the parade route to try to control the protesters, in downtown Washington on 12th Street.

Tear gas was deployed. Elsewhere, a protester could be seen putting a tear gas canister in a toppled-over trash can.

Officials told CNN that the protests are localized.

"This is a small disturbance that we have in the small part of the city," Interim Chief Peter Newsham told CNN.

At one point, police gave chase to a group of about 100 protesters who smashed windows of downtown businesses including a Starbucks, Bank of America and McDonald's as they denounced capitalism and Trump. Police said the demonstrators damaged vehicles, destroyed property and set small fires while armed with crowbars and hammers. According to police, "numerous" people were charged with rioting.

Some protesters also tried to interrupt Trump's swearing-in.

Spirited demonstrations unfolded at various security checkpoints near the Capitol as police helped ticket-holders get through to the inaugural ceremony. Signs read, "Resist Trump Climate Justice Now," ''Let Freedom Ring," ''Free Palestine."

Most Trump supporters walking to the inauguration past Union Station ignored protesters outside the train station, but not Doug Rahm, who engaged in a lengthy and sometimes profane yelling match with them.

"Get a job," said Rahm, a Bikers for Trump member from Philadelphia. "Stop crying, snowflakes, Trump won."

Outside the International Spy Museum, protesters in Russian hats ridiculed Trump's praise of President Vladimir Putin, marching with signs calling Trump "Putin's Puppet" and "Kremlin employee of the month."

Elsewhere, from San Francisco, where protesters blocked train tracks, to Denver, where they marched through the streets, many showed their displeasure with the incoming administration. Indeed, around the world, protesters marched through Tokyo, and across London’s iconic Tower Bridge, people strung a gigantic banner.

Closer to home, student activists camped out for several hours in the student union at the University of Central Florida, silently protesting.

“(We're here) to basically say we’re not going to be intimidated. We’re not going to let Trump’s ideologies of hate and bigotry shine on UCF’s campus," said Michael Hodapp with UCF College Democrats.

Holding up signs that read statements such as, "Misogny is not normal," Hodapp said that the group protested because they do not agree with the new president’s policies and cabinet picks.

At Lake Eola Park in downtown Orlando, a protest organized by the Orlando Workers League, a socialist group, was planned for 6-9 p.m. Friday.

Protests started on eve of inauguration

On the eve of Trump's inauguration, protesters clashed with police in Washington D.C. Police used pepper spray on protesters demonstrating outside of a pro-Trump event.

Protesters could be heard shouting profanities at people who entered the event. They also set off smoke devices in the middle of the crowd.

Meanwhile, in New York City, the "We Stand United" rally was more peaceful. Celebrities and the general public rallied outside of the Trump International Hotel in New York City.

Mayor Bill De Blasio, Reverend Al Sharpton, Robert DeNiro and Michael Moore spoke at the rally and took jabs at Trump.

"He's — he has the thinnest skin, the thinnest skin of any bully I've ever met,” Moore said.

Organizers said they wanted to send a message to Trump and Congress that they stand united for equality, civil rights, the environment and civil liberties.

"We will not stop. We will not go back. You can hack a message and tell the world that the election is over, but the movement has just begun,” said Civil Rights Leader Sharpton.

Other cities nationwide are holding similar rallies on Friday.

“We've got to be vigilant. We've got to plan. We've got to prepare,” Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said.

Officials are also preparing for what could be one of the biggest protests ever on Saturday, which is the Women’s March on Washington.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.