65 arrested in anti-Trump protests in New York City

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NEW YORK (AP) -- Over a thousand protesters marched in the streets of Manhattan and demonstrated outside Trump Tower to denounce the election of Donald Trump to the presidency.

One group began at Union Square Wednesday night, while another converged at Columbus Circle. The demonstrators then took to the streets blocking traffic as police mobilized to contain them under a light rain.

The protesters chanted "Not my president" and "hey, hey, ho, ho Donald Trump has got to go." They held signs that read "Trump Makes America Hate" and "Don't Lose Hope."

Some of the protesters cursed out key battleground states that Trump had won to secure victory.  One protester burned an American flag.

Outside Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in Midtown police installed barricades to keep the demonstrators at bay.

Dozens of people were arrested.

Los Angeles demonstrators also beat a Trump piñata and sprayed the Los Angeles Times building and news vans with anti-Trump profanity. One protester outside LA City Hall read a sign that simply said "this is very bad."

Late in the evening several hundred people blocked one of the city's busiest freeways, U.S. 101 between downtown and Hollywood.

City News Service reported that 13 people were arrested as officers in full riot gear walked the protesters off the freeway.

By 1:30 a.m., the freeway was clear of demonstrators but lanes remained closed for cleanup.

In Oakland, several thousand people gathered in Frank Ogawa Palaza, police said, clogging intersections and freeway on-ramps.

In Chicago, where thousands had recently poured into the streets to celebrate the Chicago Cubs' first World Series victory in over a century, several thousand people marched through the Loop. They gathered outside Trump Tower, chanting "Not my president!"

Chicago resident Michael Burke said he believes the president-elect will "divide the country and stir up hatred." He added there was a constitutional duty not to accept that outcome.

Police said that an estimated 1,800 to 2,000 people participated in the Chicago protests. Police reported five arrests, including two for obstructing traffic, but said there were no major incidents.

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Protests unfolded in several other cities in the United States:

St. Paul

Chicago

Philadelphia

Washington, D.C.