Protesters, including the DisruptJ20 organization, descended on the pro-Trump 'DeploraBall' event Thursday night outside the National Press Club.

Outside Thursday’s DeploraBall, police worked to keep protesters and journalists away from the door. (WTOP/Michelle Basch) WTOP/Michelle Basch Along F Street near the National Press Club, protesters Thursday chanted “No Trump no fascist USA.” (WTOP/Michelle Basch) WTOP/Michelle Basch A protester walks through a cloud of gas sprayed by police following outside the National Press Club Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) AP/John Minchillo A crowd taunted people arriving for the DeploraBall. Chants included, “Nazi scum off our streets.” (WTOP/Michelle Basch) WTOP/Michelle Basch Protesters scuffle with police after refusing to vacate the sidewalk in front of the National Press Club Building ahead of the presidential inauguration, Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/John Minchillo) AP/John Minchillo A large police presence awaited protesters outside the National Press Club, site of Thursday night’s DeploraBall. (WTOP/Michelle Basch) WTOP/Michelle Basch Trump supporters were also on hand outside the National Press Club Thursday night. (WTOP/Michelle Basch) WTOP/Michelle Basch Costumed bystanders stood near the National Press Club, the site of the DeploraBall. (WTOP/Michelle Basch) WTOP/Michelle Basch A very large elephant arrived on F Street outside Thursday’s Deploraball. (WTOP/Michelle Basch) WTOP/Michelle Basch A protester recovers from tear gas outside Thursday’s DeploraBall. (WTOP/Michelle Basch) WTOP/Michelle Basch Signs in front of National Press Building @WTOP pic.twitter.com/wDcGaojox9 — Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) January 20, 2017 (WTOP/Michelle Basch) One side faces the other @WTOP pic.twitter.com/FC1n8hzEJZ — Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) January 20, 2017 (WTOP/Michelle Basch) ( 1 /12) Share This Gallery: Share on Facebook. Share on Twitter. Share via email. Print.

WASHINGTON — Protesters, including the DisruptJ20 organization, descended on the pro-Trump “DeploraBall” event Thursday night outside the National Press Club.

A large police presence was on hand, and pepper spray was used on some protesters.

An estimated crowd of several hundred gathered outside the club, located near the corner of F and 14th Streets. Police formed a line to keep protestors back — and to clear a path for people going into the ball as protesters hurled insults and chants at them. A few fires were set in the street as well.

“We have to be out here saying no, or we will not have any democracy at all if we don’t resist,” said one protester, who had traveled to D.C. from Chicago.

A DeploraBall attendee, who had traveled to D.C. from North Carolina, didn’t believe the protesters had anything to worry about.

“I don’t think they have as much to worry about as they think they do,” he said. “They have the sense of dread about where the country is going and how it will change, and I don’t see that happening.”

Protestors walking in 14th St. past F Street where Nat’l Press Club is @WTOP pic.twitter.com/oWe99o9sOk — Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) January 20, 2017

Outside the National Press Club where the Deploraball starts later @WTOP pic.twitter.com/VljQJ4DP2l — Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) January 20, 2017

Gas being deployed -many protestors moving back @WTOP pic.twitter.com/l9ON6Df0X1 — Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) January 20, 2017

Police have blocked off a large section of sidewalk near Press Building so Deploraball attendees can avoid protestors @WTOP pic.twitter.com/I7FGYM0Uhg — Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) January 20, 2017

Projections on the front of the National Press Building @WTOP pic.twitter.com/QHOkW12ha2 — Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) January 20, 2017