Black Lives Matter protesters shut down inauguration checkpoint Embed  Copy Share       Play Video 0:40 A group of protesters with the Black Lives Matter movement shut down an inauguration entrance checkpoint at John Marshall Park in downtown Washington. A group of protesters with the Black Lives Matter movement shut down an inauguration entrance checkpoint at John Marshall Park in downtown Washington. (The Washington Post)

So far I've seen Black Lives Matter & climate justice groups that seem to have completely shut down inauguration entrances. See: So far I've seen Black Lives Matter & climate justice groups that seem to have completely shut down inauguration entrances. See: #DisruptJ20 — dri (@DriXander) — dri (@DriXander) January 20, 2017

Justin Weber, a D.C. activist working with Showing Up for Racial Justice, says that his group and Black Lives Matter protesters have been working to block the security checkpoint on Fourth and C Streets NW. “We are here in support of our black and brown brothers and sisters,” Weber said. “We plan to be here for a little while now, because we pretty effectively shutdown the checkpoint.”

He described the protest as peaceful, with participants linking arms and singing around the barricades.

D.C. police Officer Anthony Alioto confirmed that the protests had been peaceful and that the checkpoint was shut down by the protests as of 8:30 a.m.

A group of protesters sat in front of the gate closest to the checkpoint, singing “I’m gonna let it shine,” as rain fell on the crowds. Nearly a dozen flags reading “Black Lives Matter” waved above the crowd, and police officers lined the perimeter.

Earlier in the morning, protesters also tried to block the security checkpoint at Indiana Avenue and Sixth Street NW, according to Weber. Some people sat down in front of the barricades, until police lifted the barricades so inauguration attendees could access the checkpoints. He said some Black Lives Matter protesters have chained themselves to the barricades.

Not far away, at 13th and F Streets NW, another group of protesters gathered at a check point, forming a line that anyone trying to get to the Mall had to pass through. A Trump supporter asked a police officer to escort him through.

The protesters wore rainbow flags as capes and blew whistles as they danced to Beyoncé and Lady Gaga. “Who’s checkpoint? Our checkpoint!” they chanted. “Out of the closet! Into the streets!”

One man shook blue glitter onto the heads of inauguration attendees.