Flags burning, Trump effigies hanging in the streets of America’s major cities

WARNING: Strong language

FLAGS are burning and effigies of President-elect Donald Trump are hanging in the streets as Americans come to grips with their new leader.

For the second night in a row, Americans on both coasts — in states traditionally held by Democrats — thousands of protesters have taken to the streets. There’s a common theme: “Not our president”.

Some protests have been going for more than four hours, and tear gas was launched against protesters rallying in Oakland, California on Wednesday night (local time).

Periscope footage showed fires built in the middle of the roads with riot police trying to disperse crowds about 9.30pm.

According to reports from NBC Bay Area, police declared the rally, which attracted at least 6,000 people, an unlawful assembly, and dispersed gas to clear the streets.

Footage posted on Instagram shows smoke, and a loud bang.

“That loud noise and smoke cloud is OPD (Oakland Police Department) pepper spraying everyone this is crazy,” the uploader wrote.

Riot police were also called in to deal with protesters in Denver, Colorado. Facebook Live footage showed many protesters gathering around a large fire in the middle of a road about 10pm (local time).

Police in riot gear attempted to hold back thousands of protesters as they reached the University of Washington campus.

Chants of “not my president” rang out and many carried signs that said “Fight Racism” and “Impeach Drumpy.” One protester held an upside down American flag, reported NBC, who believed it symbolised the chaos a Trump presidency would bring to the country.

As well as Seattle and Oakland, there’s anger on the streets of Manhattan, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Washington DC, Chicago and Portland. The list goes on.

If authorities thought scenes would return to normal after Tuesday’s protests, night two appears to be a ramping up of the chaos..

Trump Towers in New York City and Chicago have become a meeting points for vocal, visual displays of disobedience. Their entrances have been blocked off completely.

A protest in Manhattan drew about 1,000 people. Outside Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in midtown, police installed barricades to keep the demonstrators at bay.

Videos posted to social media under the hashtag #NotOurPresident show chaotic scenes as police try to quell the uprising.

“No Trump”, “No KKK”, “No Fascists USA” are among popular chants, the Chicago Tribune reports.

In New York City, protesters gathered in Union Square holding signs saying “Love Trumps Hate” and “Trump Grabbed America by the Pussy!” before marching uptown in the thousands to chant in front to Trump Tower.

Outside the White House in Washington DC, hundreds of protesters gathered for a mostly peaceful scene but police were on hand should it turn ugly. There were reports an anti-Trump protester had his ear bitten by a rival supporter. Pictures show a man with blood on his ear and neck.

A demonstrator burned a Trump baseball cap and others held placards reading “Stand Against Anti-Muslim Bigotry!”

Protesters criticised what they called Trump’s racism, sexism and xenophobia, and carrying signs reading “We have a voice!” and “Education for all!”

One of the organisers, Ben Wikler — Washington director of the liberal advocacy group MoveOn.org — told the crowd that others were coming together in hundreds of communities around the country.

“People are justly frightened,” he said.