RT America's Alexander Rubinstein was arrested while covering the protests near McPherson Square in Washington, DC. He was in the crowd, covering protesters when police circled a group of people.

Update: At 8:28pm Eastern, RT's DC reporter Alexey Yaroshevsky tweeted that Rubinstein had been released.

Just got news that our reporter @AlexR_DC was set free by DC police — Alexey Yaroshevsky (@Yaro_RT) January 21, 2017

Rubinstein was among the group arrested at 12th and L Streets NW. He is being taken into custody, even though he showed police his media credentials.

Here is the flash grenade they used that blinded me and left my ears ringing. Cops encircled crowd when I couldn't see; arresting everyone pic.twitter.com/bL2ulgv9DR — Alexander Rubinstein (@AlexR_DC) January 20, 2017

Protestors locked in by DC police A video posted by Sean Stone (@therealseanstone) on Jan 20, 2017 at 8:52am PST Mass arrest about to happen of black bloc at 12&L st NW. #disruptj20 lieutenant confirms everyone is being arrested including lawyers, press pic.twitter.com/asanLhiBgo — Michael Loadenthal (@mloadenthal) January 20, 2017

RT America has many reporters covering the inauguration from various aspects. Rubinstein was following the DisruptJ20 anti-capitalist march.

Chants of "1, 2, 3 / f*ck the bourgeoisie / 4, 5, 6 / f*co the bourgeoisie" at anti-capitalist #DisruptJ20 march #Inaugurationpic.twitter.com/ydKsUy7HAk — Alexander Rubinstein (@AlexR_DC) January 20, 2017

The National Park Police surrounded the group, corralling them with riot shields, Rubinstein said. It's reportedly illegal to "kettle" protesters in this manner, and there is already talk of a lawsuit among the group.

Trying to get a video statement out about my arrest but it is not uploading yet. Stay tuned and follow @RT_America — Alexander Rubinstein (@AlexR_DC) January 20, 2017

"We're just waiting, the police are filming us, waiting for them to arrest us, surrounded by riot shields," he said.

Police are now in full riot gear and call over radio permission for "OC" spray or pepper spray. pic.twitter.com/yZQh5PJav7 — Patrick Madden (@Patrick_Madden) January 20, 2017

Police appeared to be taking people one at a time. It is unclear if they were being detained or arrested.

About 50 people standing in cold, including members of press, being taken one by one by police. Unclear if detained or arrested. #disruptj2opic.twitter.com/hscEeQdrAt — ✊ #DisruptJ20 ✊ (@DisruptJ20) January 20, 2017

The group was arrested and charged with rioting, police said in a statement.

"Pepper spray and other control devices were used to control the criminal actors and protect persons and property," the Metropolitan Police Department said. "During the incident, police vehicles were damaged and two uniformed officers sustained minor injuries from coordinated attacks by members of the group that were attempting to avoid arrest."

MPD Statement on Acts of Vandalism earlier today: pic.twitter.com/uWQS2OT7SI — DC Police Department (@DCPoliceDept) January 20, 2017

RT America has reached out to both the Metropolitan PD and the US Park Police about Rubinstein's arrest.

This is the first mass arrest in DC in 14 years, according to DisruptJ20, but that information could not be verified by RT.