Officials said they were monitoring the protest when officers saw an assault in progress.
Protestors and supporters of Chinese President Xi Jinping and the Chinese government remained steady around the White House on Thursday as the world leader arrived for meetings with President Donald Trump.
During one of several flare-ups at around 3:20 p.m., several people were arrested nearby on 17th Street and New York Avenue, Northwest. Two men were accused of assault on a police officer, one man accused of taking property without right, and two men of simple assault, according to D.C. Police.
Officials said they were monitoring the protest when officers saw an assault in progress.
Later in the night, there were several brief tense moments between both groups. Some could be heard shouting toward a crowd of supporters of the Chinese president, while police worked to push away or separate others.
