Two police officers have been injured after hundreds of loyalists tried to storm Belfast City Hall after councillors voted to remove the Union flag.
An Alliance Party spokesman said: "Tonight was a disaster for this city." A group forced its way through the back gates and tried to kick the door down minutes after elected members agreed to fly the flag on designated days.
Police used batons and brought in dogs to push the protesters, who had scarves covering their faces, out of the courtyard at the back of City Hall on to Donegall Square South.
Two police officers were treated in hospital after at least one firework, bricks, bottles and other missiles were thrown. It is understood that a council security guard was also hurt.
Two female officers were taken to hospital Cars belonging to elected members and staff were damaged during the disorder.
Sinn Fein's Jim McVeigh said: "The people that broke through the gates are a bunch of thugs. They physically assaulted the staff, tried to attack members of the police and they attacked property."
Councillors agreed by 29 votes to 21 to bring City Hall into line with Stormont and other Government buildings and fly the flag on 17 designated days.
It is the first time the Union flag has been taken down from the Edwardian building in more than a century.
Loyalist protestors carrying Union flags block the back of City Hall Ulster Unionist Jim Rodgers said he was not surprised violence had flared.
"There is a real anger," he said. "I cannot condone violence but people do not realise just how strongly the people in Northern Ireland think about flying the flag over City Hall."
Maire Hendron from the Alliance Party said: "Tonight was a disaster for this city."
Just over a week ago, the council's strategic policy and resources committee voted 11-9 in favour of removing the flag completely.
The decision had to be ratified at a full meeting.
The Union flag will now be flown on 17 designated days During an emotive debate on the issue, PUP councillor John Kyle said there was a real anger among working-class Protestants.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said two female police officers were taken to hospital. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
A spokeswoman said violence had spread to other parts of Belfast, but crowds were later dispersed.
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