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US FIGHTS BACK

Cops clash with demonstrators as wave of protests erupt across US day before Donald Trump’s inauguration

PROTESTERS came out in force across the US on the eve of Donald Trump being sworn into office as the 45th President of the US.

Celebs joined thousands of angry New Yorkers at director Michael Moore's We Stand United rally outside Trump Tower last night.

 A man unleashes two jets of pepper spay over the crowd as protesters shield their eyes
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A man unleashes two jets of pepper spay over the crowd as protesters shield their eyesCredit: Rex Features
 A protester has her eyes doused with water after allegedly being pepper sprayed by police outside of the Deplora Ball at the National Press Building
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A protester has her eyes doused with water after allegedly being pepper sprayed by police outside of the Deplora Ball at the National Press BuildingCredit: Splash News
 Thousands of New Yorkers took to the streets last night
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Thousands of New Yorkers took to the streets last nightCredit: AP:Associated Press
 A youth adds to the burning pile of protest signs
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A youth adds to the burning pile of protest signsCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Protesters came out in force on the eve of Donald Trump's inauguration
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Protesters came out in force on the eve of Donald Trump's inaugurationCredit: EPA

In Washington DC, cops used tear gas on demonstrators after the protests turned ugly.

Secret Service forces and armed cops lined the streets around the White House as protesters gathered downtown.

Hollywood A-listers Robert De Niro, Mark Ruffalo and Alec Baldwin slammed Trump at the New York rally.

De Niro took to the stage saying he was pleased to be there "with all of you and all of my overrated friends" in reference to Trump's recent criticism of actress Meryl Streep.

The actor - who has said he would love to punch Trump - continued to mock the billionaire mogul by reading out some Trump-style fake tweets about himself.

He said: "De Niro's career is a disaster. He was passed over for Godfather 4 and Magnificent Seven. Pathetic.

"De Niro should give back his Oscars. Voting was rigged.

"There's only one true Raging Bull and that's Vladimir Putin."

The iconic actor, 73 continued his rant by slamming the Republican as a "bad example for this country".

 Activists burns posters outside the pro-Trump Deplorable ball in Washington DC
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Activists burns posters outside the pro-Trump Deplorable ball in Washington DCCredit: Getty Images
 A crowd gathers around the flames
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A crowd gathers around the flamesCredit: Getty Images
 Anti-Trump protesters clash with cops in Washington DC
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Anti-Trump protesters clash with cops in Washington DCCredit: Getty Images
 A protester has eyes doused with water after cops used tear gas in  Washington DC
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A protester has eyes doused with water after cops used tear gas in  Washington DCCredit: Getty Images
 Another anti-Trump protester lies on the ground at the Washington demo
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Another anti-Trump protester lies on the ground at the Washington demoCredit: Getty Images
 Anti-Trump activisst take the streets ahead of the billionaire's inauguration
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Anti-Trump activisst take the streets ahead of the billionaire's inaugurationCredit: Getty Images
 Cops take matters into their own hands at the anti-Trump march
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Cops take matters into their own hands at the anti-Trump marchCredit: TMZ
 A cop can be seen spraying the crowd as things got out of hand
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A cop can be seen spraying the crowd as things got out of handCredit: TMZ
 Robert De Niro spoke to thousands at the We Stand United rally in New York
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Robert De Niro spoke to thousands at the We Stand United rally in New YorkCredit: Getty Images
 The actor poked fun at the President-elect in front frustrated Americans
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The actor poked fun at the President-elect in front frustrated AmericansCredit: Getty Images
 Actor Alec Baldwin trotted out his Trump parody to the crowd
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Actor Alec Baldwin trotted out his Trump parody to the crowdCredit: Getty Images
 People gather outside Trump Tower in Midtown Manhattan
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People gather outside Trump Tower in Midtown ManhattanCredit: EPA
 Others gather in front of Trump International Hotel in Columbus Circle, New York
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Others gather in front of Trump International Hotel in Columbus Circle, New YorkCredit: Splash News
 Avengers star Mark Ruffalo also took to the stage to speak to demonstrators
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Avengers star Mark Ruffalo also took to the stage to speak to demonstratorsCredit: Getty Images
 Protesters hold up signs at the New York rally
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Protesters hold up signs at the New York rallyCredit: Getty
 Thousands took the street armed with anti-Trump picket signs
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Thousands took the street armed with anti-Trump picket signsCredit: AP:Associated Press
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Actor Alec Baldwin trotted out his famous Trump parody from Saturday Night Live to the crowd.

Mimicking the President elect the 30 Rock star said: “I just want to say, I’ve been standing out here in the freezing cold for a long time.

“I have to go to the bathroom. I have to pee. But I’m holding it in, I’m holding it in, I’m not gonna pee.

"I’m going to a function at the Russian consulate tonight, I’m gonna hold it in ‘till I get there.”

“And then when I get to the Russian consulate, I’m going to have a really, really long pee,”

Avengers star Mark Ruffalo told the crowd: "We're coming here tonight to protect something precious to us, and that's each other."

Actresses Shailene Woodley, Julianne Moore and Rosie Perez were also on the march.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio told protesters "Donald Trump may control Washington, but we control our destiny as Americans.

 People gather around a talking Trump puppet
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People gather around a talking Trump puppetCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Director Michael Moore held the 'We Stand United' rally in New York
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Director Michael Moore held the 'We Stand United' rally in New YorkCredit: AP:Associated Press
 New York Mayor Bill de Blasio also hit out at the President-elect at the rally
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New York Mayor Bill de Blasio also hit out at the President-elect at the rallyCredit: Getty Images
 Activists walk the streets with highly emotive signs
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Activists walk the streets with highly emotive signsCredit: EPA
 A protester holding a pro-Hillary Clinton sign
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A protester holding a pro-Hillary Clinton signCredit: Getty Images
 Donald Trump spoke at his inauguration ceremony to a crowd of supporters
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Donald Trump spoke at his inauguration ceremony to a crowd of supportersCredit: AP:Associated Press
 The billionaire spoke to Americans at a pre-Inaugural 'Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration' in Washington
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The billionaire spoke to Americans at a pre-Inaugural 'Make America Great Again! Welcome Celebration' in WashingtonCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Fireworks explode over the Lincoln Memorial in Washington
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Fireworks explode over the Lincoln Memorial in WashingtonCredit: Associated Press
 President-elect and wife Melania Trump in high spirits yesterday
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President-elect and wife Melania Trump in high spirits yesterdayCredit: Reuters
 Trump and his family stood by the Lincoln Memorial at the end of his speech
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Trump and his family stood by the Lincoln Memorial at the end of his speechCredit: Reuters
 Trump spoke to a sea of supporters yesterday afternoon
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Trump spoke to a sea of supporters yesterday afternoonCredit: Reuters

"We don't fear the future. We think the future is bright, if the people's voices are heard."

Cops clashed with anti-Trump protesters outside the Trump International Hotel in Washington D.C.

Pepper spray was fired into the crowd while protesters tried to break through police lines.

Protesters were said to be targeting the DeploraBal' celebration - an event organised by some of Trump's most enthusiastic  supporters.

While activists took to the streets, President-elect Donald Trump prepared to attend his inaugural concert at Washington DC's Lincoln Memorial.

Further protests are expected across the US on Friday after Trump takes the oath of office.

Saturday's Women's March on Washington is expected to draw in a hundreds of thousands of activists.

The inauguration will take place at midday local time (5pm GMT) today.

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