Chanting activists gathered outside the heavily guarded Trump Tower with signs reading 'not my president'

Nearly 200 people were arrested in Los Angeles where crowds flocked to City Hall and the Staples Center

Police threw flash grenades and arrested 26 people as on-scene journalists dubbed it a 'war zone'

In Portland, Oregon, protesters descended into violence and prompted local police to declare a riot

He optimistically declared that the country would 'come together' after second night of nationwide unrest

Donald Trump commended protesters on Friday morning despite earlier bemoaning their demonstrations


President-elect Donald Trump backtracked after bemoaning protests against his election triumph on Friday, taking to Twitter to commend what he called 'small groups' of activists for their passion as thousands took to the streets in riots across the country.

'Love the fact that small groups of protesters last night have passion for our great country. We will all come together and be proud,' he said on Friday morning after a second night of unrest since his shock election win.

It was a reversal of his earlier complaint that 'professional protesters' and the media were inciting what he called 'very unfair' demonstrations seen in numerous states since Wednesday.

His early morning optimism was in sharp contrast to the fury of Clinton voters in Portland, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Oakland and New York, who took to the streets in revolt on Thursday night.

Portland, Oregon: Hundreds of protesters marched through Portland on Thursday night as the city revolted against President-elect Donald Trump for the third night in a row

U-turn: President-elect Trump reversed his complaint that 'professional protesters' and the media had incited violence

They burned flags, smashed car windows and store fronts and held signs depicting the new President-elect as the devil as police dressed in gas masks declared riot zones and made arrests.

185 protesters were arrested in Los Angeles where crowds flocked to City Hall and the Staples Center.

At least 26 people were arrested in Portland, Oregon, where Hillary Clinton won 52 percent of the vote, as police used flash grenades to control them.

THURSDAY: ANTI-TRUMP PROTEST ARRESTS Los Angeles: 185 Portland, Oregon: 26 New York: 1 Oakland, California: 30 Baltimore: 3 Advertisement

Journalists at the scene likened it to a 'war zone' and local police officially declared the protest a riot as outraged voters burned flags and smashed store fronts and car windows.

Portland police said they had used rubber baton rounds - which are not lethal - as well as pepper spray and what they described as 'rubber ball distraction devices'.

'After several orders to disperse, police have used less lethal munitions to effect arrests and move the crowd. (Officers) still taking projectiles,' officers said in a Twitter post.

Protests continued outside Trump's home, Trump Tower, in New York; in Oakland, California, where a march of 6,000 people descended into a riot; and in downtown Los Angeles, where 35 demonstrators were arrested after blocking traffic and staging a sit-in in the street.

Multnomah County, which includes Portland, voted 76 percent for Clinton on Tuesday. The city is known as a liberal hipster hub on the West Coast.

Oakland, California: Police dressed in riot gear clashed with protesters in Oakland on the second night of uproar

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: On the east coast, young protesters linked arms to march through the streets, their faces hidden beneath Bandanas as they followed furious leaders carrying megaphones

Madison, Wisconsin: Pride flags and protestations of love were among placards toted by crowds in Wisconsin. Madison was one of few Democrat precincts in the state where Trump won 48 percent of votes

Baltimore, Maryland: Screaming mobs united in Baltimore with their own signs as the fallout from Trump's election continued

Manhattan, New York: Outside the heavily guarded Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue, New Yorkers rejected the President-elect

ANTI-BULLYING AMBASSADOR 'ASSAULTS' ELDERLY MAN AT OUTSIDE TRUMP TOWER Shacara McLaurin, 23, was charged with felony assault An anti-bullying campaigner was arrested in New York on Thursday after allegedly pushing a 74-year-old man to the ground during a fight over Trump's win. Shacara McLaurin, 23, was charged with felony assault after the man, who has not been named was taken to hospital with an injury on back of his head. He fell to the ground after being pushed by the woman, said police, while they argued. A source told The Daily News the man had responded 'all lives matter' when McLaurin, a Black Lives Matter activist, was protesting. An NYPD spokesman told DailyMail.com on Friday that McLaurin and the man began arguing outside Trump's Manhattan home where scores had gathered for a third night in a row in protest since his election win. It turned physical, with McLaurin pushing the man causing him to fall. She was charged with felony assault, given the man's age, and spent the night in jail. McLaurin made headlines in 2011 when she was the victim of a brutal attack by girls at her Brooklyn high school. They attacked her with a padlock wrapped in a sock, pummeling her face to keep her out of a talent show. Advertisement

The Portland march had begun happily enough, with inspiring Clinton quotes, offers of free hugs and protesters walking arm-in-arm down the street. The crowd was estimated at around 4,000.

The protest began in Pioneer Courthouse Square, then continued on to Waterfront Park at around 6pm local time before continuing eastwards, taking over roads and slowing traffic.

By 7pm, however, reports of vandalism began to filter through, and by 8pm police were noting aggressive behavior and asked anyone not involved to leave.

Ninety-minutes later it was officially declared a riot by police.

Protesters were spotted carrying baseball bats and letting off fireworks, and video began to emerge on twitter of people spraying anarchy symbols and 'F**k Trump' graffiti on walls and signposts.

One woman allegedly tried to drive into two girls and had her windscreen smashed. Two protesters were filmed getting into a fight after an argument broke out in the crowd, while a self-professed leader split them up.

A car lot in North Portland saw windscreens being smashed to pieces, and business windows were smashed in the Pearl district while police blocked an I-5 ramp to stop protesters from getting onto the highway.

Protest organizer Gregory McKelvey announced that he was leaving the group, not wanting to be associated with violence, and later tweeted: 'The protest that became violent was not our protest.'

Another group, #PDXResistance, tweeted: 'We are marching peacefully. Some have entered our ranks to vandalize. We do not police other people's activism, but we will always lead with peace and love... we are about peaceful change.'

Portland, Oregon: A volunteer removes graffiti in Portland on Friday after a second night of disruption

Portland: Police declared the protests a riot on Thursday as they arrested 26 people and used flash grenades to control the crowds

Portland: Rioters smashed store fronts as the protests grew increasingly futile on the third night of disruption

Portland: Protesters set fire to traffic bollards as others wielded baseball bats as the violence escalated on Thursday night

Portland: A woman demonstrating against Donald Trump is arrested during the disturbances Thursday night

Portland: Thousands gathered in what was Portland's third night of protests. But what began as a happy evenyt descended into vandalism, violence and rioting

Portland: A North Portland car dealership had its windows smashed and cars jumped on by rioters

Portland: Conflict broke out between various members of the protest; in this shot, a leader (pictured pointing) tries to break up a fight. Protest organizers later disavowed criminal elements, saying multiple protests had melded together

Portland: One car had 'f**k Donald Trump' written on its hood (left) before it was stomped on

Portland: People look anxiously towards the anti-Trump protest as it turns into a riot

Portland: Smashed glass was left scattered by store fronts (left) and children were carried through the angry mobs

Non-violent marchers were told by police to go to Pioneer Courthouse Square to continue their protest.

In Oakland, 3,000 people marched on highways from 6pm. Police warned of traffic disruptions on Twitter but steered clear of sharing arrest information or if there had been any violence.

The city belongs to the electoral precinct of Almeda County which voted overwhelmingly in favour of Hillary Clinton with 77 percent.

Protesters, many of whom were Hispanic, declared Trump 'El Diablito' - the devil- in hand drawn signs while vandals spray painted news crew vans with graffiti in Los Angeles, another Clinton stronghold.

Three police officers were injured earlier in the week in Oakland after being hit by flying Molotov cocktails and fireworks.

Among those who took part in Thursday's protest was Occupy Oakland. The group tweeted updates including footage from the scene late into the night and early on Friday morning.

Oakland, California; Protesters burned American flags as they ran through the streets in Oakland which has been in uproar since Trump's win

Oakland, California: Outraged activists held signs depicting Trump as 'El Diablito' - the devil - in Oakland where a quarter of the population is Hispanic

Oakland: Police wore gas masks and carried shields in Oakland. They did not share details of how many were arrested if any

Oakland: A woman faces riot police armed with cable-ties, batons and gas masks on Thursday night

Oakland: Demonstrators gesture toward an approaching line of police officers as they stopped traffic on Interstate 580

Oakland: A group of demonstrators chant as they stand on Interstate 580 during Thursday night's demonstration

Oakland: A masked demonstrator scuffles with police officers during Thursday night's demonstration against Donald Trump

Oakland: Demonstrators gather in Frank Ogawa Plaza during Thursday's demonstration following election of Donald Trump

Oakland: A woman urges fellow demonstrators to stand back from the police line during the anti-Trump protest Thursday

Oakland: Crowds gathered at Frank Ogawa Plaza (pictured) on Thursday, where they listened to speakers

Oakland: A speaker told the crowd (left) 'The regime does not dictate to the people how, when, where, or in what manner we resist.' One protester brought a tiny effigy of President-elect Trump (right)

By 10:30pm, around 1,000 people had gathered in Frank Ogawa Plaza, where a woman spoke through a PA system to cheers, while Native American protesters danced in traditional clothes.

'The regime does not dictate to the people how, when, where, or in what manner we resist,' she said, to cheers. She then began a call-and-response chant of 'Whose streets?' 'Our streets!'

Instead, some stores, including restaurant Camburger, were boarding up windows and shutting down hours early, the East Bay Times reported.

When the Frank Ogawa Plaza group dispersed, some members tried to head to Broadway with mischief in mind, but a strong police presence meant that only a few were able to enter the main shopping areas, SFGate reported.

Smashed windows, sprayed graffiti and street fires were reported, but the damage was nothing like that seen the previous night. Police also managed to keep traffic flowing on the Interstate 580, though two protesters managed to cut their way through fencing and get onto the road.

Oakland: California Highway Patrol officers in riot gear form a line on Interstate 580 during Thursday's demonstration

Los Angeles saw similar uproar, with hundreds flocking to City Hall to protest the election result.

Nearly 200 people were arrested across the city and officers were injured as they tried to gain control of crowds.

Chief of Police Charlie Beck issued a plea for protesters to act peacefully in sharing their views.

' Your 1st amendment right to freedom of speech is a cherished privilege that should be exercised. However destruction of property and vandalism will not be tolerated.

'Exercise your rights responsibly and respect our city,' he said.

LAPD was still processing arrests on Friday morning but an officer said an estimated 185 people had been taken into custody during the night.

In Trump's home state of New York, crowds huddled outside Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue to share their fury.

Los Angeles: Thousands marched in Los Angeles to the Staples Center and City Hall

Los Angeles: A man is one of 185 arrested across the city in the early hours of Friday morning (above)

Los Angeles: Thousands gathered outside the Staples Center after marching through the city

Los Angeles: LAPD issued a plea to citizens to protest peacefully after a third night of unrest in the city

They held signs reading 'not my president' and yelled as NYPD officers watched on gingerly. One person was arrested; a 23-year-old woman who pushed a 74-year-old man to the ground after becoming embroiled in a fight over the election result.

Shacara McLaurin was arrested after pushing the elderly man who fell and hit the back of his head. He was taken to hospital in 'substantial pain' and dizziness but was in a stable condition.

'We had a 74-year-old male and a 23-year-old female engaged in a dispute which turned physical. When female pushes the male, he fell to the ground and suffered a laceration to the back of the head.

'(The) victim suffered substantial pain and dizziness,' an NYPD spokesman said.

New York: On Friday afternoon, the protests continued in Manhattan where crowds gathered at Washington Square Park

New York: The President-elect's home state voted in favor of his opponent, sparking widespread disappointment across its namesake city where Clinton fans continued to revolt on Friday (above)

New York: Protesters held up signs calling Trump a fascist. Trump's home is in Trump Tower, although he spent Thursday in Washington, having a 90-minute hand-over meeting with President Barack Obama

New York: Crowds of women chanted as they carried on their protests outside Trump Tower for the second night in a row

New York: Outside Trump Tower crowds were more restrained, holding up signs declaring their protest at Trump's election victory

RICH TRUMP TOWER RESIDENTS FLEE HOMES Wealthy residents of Trump Tower are planning on fleeing their homes as protesters continue to gather outside. Security is demanding that they show ID upon entry and be frisked, an added measure since protesters set up camp. A real estate broker told The New York Post the tenants were planning on leaving amidst the chaos. 'These are wealthy people, they don’t need this, and they can’t take it any longer,' he said. Advertisement

The previous night, 65 people including journalists were arrested. Earlier Thursday, students at New York's famously progressive New School staged a demonstration on Fifth Avenue.

Dozens of students armed with placards chanted against Trump outside the main campus building. Their action came as the school set up a 'space for support' after the election.

Protests also erupted in Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Minneapolis and Baltimore.

An estimated 600 people marched through Baltimore but only two have been arrested and none charged. Baltimore Police Department said the majority of those who took part were 'law abiding'.

It concluded at around 4.30am on Friday, some 10 hours after police first reported disturbances.

In Milwaukee, police warned of possible road closures but gave no indication of violence.

Philadelphia told a similar story, with officers describing the protests as 'pretty peaceful'.

Minneapolis, Minnesota: Crowds blocked roads and freeways in Minneapolis on Thursday in one of the more peaceful protests

Baltimore, Maryland: Angrier protesters were seen in Baltimore where they gathered near Washington Monument

Madison, Wisconsin: Hundreds listened to leaders venting their fury over megaphones in Madison, Wisconsin

Outside the White House, protesters held up signs reading 'Donald Trump is a Racist' and 'Undocumented and here to stay!'

In San Francisco, high schoolers marched to express their dismay. Many gathered outside San Francisco' City Hall, where they held a sit-in, holding signs decrying Trump as a racist and misogynist.

Several identified themselves on clothing and signs as 'nasty women' - a reference an insult Trump directed at Clinton in their final televised debate.

Claire Bye, a 15-year-old sophomore, said: 'As a white, queer person, we need unity with people of color, we need to stand up. I'm fighting for my rights as an LGBTQ person. I'm fighting for the rights of brown people, black people, Muslim people.'

The White House: Some protesters took their anger to the seat of power, holding up signs calling Trump a racist

San Francisco: The San Francisco city Hall protesters held a massive sit-in earlier in the day to protest the result

And in Baltimore around 1,000 people marched from North Station to Inner Harbor, then on to the the stadium where the Ravens were playing. Photos showed the protesters gathering at the Washington Monument.

Protests in Minneapolis saw demonstrators marching from an anti-Trump rally at the University of Minnesota to the Interstate 94.

There, traffic was blocked in both directions as protesters marched down Franklin Avenue and swarmed across the lanes, chanting 'shut it down.'

A couple of vehicles that attempted to push through the crowd were attacked - a truck had its hood jumped on and a woman's car mirror was hit - but no one was injured.

Officers from the Minnesota State Patrol and the Minneapolis and St Paul police departments rushed to the area with lights flashing, only to find a line of protesters facing them off on the freeway.

Minneapolis: Thousands marched through Minneapolis (left) and onto the I-94 (right)

Minneapolis: Crowds chanted 'shut it down' as they blocked off both lanes. One woman's car had its wing mirror hit and a truck was jumped on by protesters after both vehicles attempted to force their way though, but no-one was hurt

Minneapolis: Children and adults alike joined the march through Minnesota

Chicago: Around 50 people protested outside Trump Tower - the second time in as many nights that it had been the focus of a protest. 'Moderation is no longer the answer,' one group wrote on their banner, 'It is time to FIGHT'

Chicago: Shoppers and diners in the area shouted their support to the group - although at least one driver-by told them they should 'shut up and accept democracy'

Chicago: Bike-mounted cops kept an eye on the peaceful protest

Hundreds more gathered in the center of Philadelphia, host of a 1,000-strong protest Wednesday night and the location of Clinton's final rally, holding signs saying 'Reject hate' and 'P***y strikes back!'

The crowd, which included parents with children in strollers, carried candles in Dixie cups and chanted 'We must remember to love ourselves and each other' and 'Not our president.'

The Philadelphia Police Twitter account posted regular updates of traffic blockages across the city.

Meanwhile, hundreds gathered in Rosa Parks Circle Grand Rapids, Michigan, during the day on Thursday.

One protester wore face-paint that read 'Fat pig,' 'Degenerate' and 'Slob,' and red paint that made it appear as though she was bleeding from her eyes. She said she was 'sad for America that the majority ignores the sexist bullying.'

Grand Rapids: An anti-Trump protester who was 'sad for America that the majority ignores the sexist bullying' protests by covering herself with insults: 'Fat pig,' 'Degenerate' and 'Slob'

Grand Rapids: She was one of hundreds who gathered in Rosa Parks Circle

Grand Rapids: The Michigan protest also attracted a counter-protest. Here, two Trump supporters (center, with placard, and right) argue with anti-Trump members (center-left and left)

That event saw a counter-protest by pro-Trump supporters, one of whom held a placard reading 'America voted for common-sense, rejecting the Liberal agenda.' Both groups got into arguments.

In Milwaukee, a crowd of hundreds gathered to hear speakers, one of whom talked about taking on 'the system that gave Trump power' despite losing popular vote, and called on supporters to organize against Trump.

The crowd cheered as he told them they were on the 'right side of history' and they entered a chant of 'Not my President.'

In Texas, protests took place at Texas State University in San Marcos. One black protester held up a sign reading 'We matter #NotMyPresident.'

Other signs read 'Hell Toupee' and 'Rather have NO Pres. than a rapist 4 President!!' - the latter a reference to sexual assault allegations directed at Trump, all of which he has denied.

In Emory & Henry College in Emory, Virginia, a group of students held a largely LGBT-themed protest walk through the grounds.

San Marcos: Protesters at Texas State University press their objection to Donald Trump's presidency

On Wednesday night in New York, home of the President-elect, 65 people were arrested when cops cracked down on twin demonstrations in Columbus Circle and at Trump Tower.

As many as 7,500 demonstrators were believed to have been split between the two locations, chanting 'Black Lives Matter' and 'Donald Trump, go away, racist, sexist, anti-gay.'

Cher and Madonna were among the NYC protesters, with Cher telling one supporter they needed to 'fight.'

Madonna posted footage of crowds chanting 'Not my President!' on her Instagram feed.

Protests also stopped traffic in Chicago, Illinois; Portland, Oregon; and San Francisco among many others.

Outside the White House, a candlelit vigil was held in protest. But even peaceful protests in that city went awry, with at least one protester being bundled into the back of a van by the Secret Service.

In Oakland, thousands marched in demonstrations that turned violent with the crowd throwing bottles at police.

Security operation: Police officers help to install concrete barriers around Trump Tower, the home of President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday

Threats: A row of sand-filled sanitation trucks have been parked in a barricade in front of the skyscraper to try and insure against car bomb attacks

On Guard: Members of the New York Police Department's Counterterrorism Bureau stand watch outside Trump Tower earlier this week

Videos and images showed flags being set alight and swarms of armed cops marching on protesters.

Traffic was also stopped on an LA freeway by angry crowds.

Security measures have been stepped up in New York in the wake of the contentious election result and Tuesday night's marches.

Police officers have helped to install concrete barriers around Trump Tower which is home to Donald Trump, his wife Melania and their son Barron.

A row of sanitation trucks filled with sand have also been acting as barricades along Fifth Avenue between 56th and 57th streets since Monday in order to protect the tower against car bombs.

Sources said one lane of traffic that passes the Tower is expected to remain closed to prevent attacks until he moves to the White House.

New York, Wednesday: Outside Trump Tower on protesters gathered with signs reading 'Dump Trump' and 'Not My President'

New York, Wednesday: Tens of thousands of people across the country marched against the President-elect before angry mobs in a few cities attacked police, started fires and shut down highways

An NYPD checkpoint is also in operation outside the building while 56th street between Fifth and Madison is closed to traffic.

On Thursday, heavily-armed officers could be seen around the president-elect's home while Trump himself visited the White House.

A no-fly zone has also been imposed over the 58-story tower.

The flight ban will re-route many helicopter tours of the city, limit the work of media helicopters as well as re-routing commercial aircraft. Drones are also banned

Military, police emergency and secret service flights are exempt from the ban.

Mashable reports that the change could cause flight delays out of LaGuardia Airport.

Flights are also limited over Vice President Mike Pence's Indianapolis home.

The no-fly zone will be in play until Trump's inauguration on Friday 20 January, 2017.

People who work and live inside Trump Tower will also now be vetted by the Secret Service, the New York Daily News reports.

And elevator routes will also be altered to stop people accessing Trump's personal floors.

Handing over: On Thursday President-elect Donald Trump met with President Barack Obama to discuss the transition

Oakland, Wednesday: Police investigate a fire lit by protesters inside a building during an anti-Trump protest