Protesters burned a giant orange-haired head of Donald Trump in effigy, lit fires in the streets and blocked traffic lanes on Wednesday as rage over the billionaire's election victory spilled onto the streets of US cities.

From New York to Los Angeles, thousands of people in about 10 cities rallied against the president-elect a day after his stunning win, some carrying signs declaiming "Not our president" and "Love trumps hate".

Most of the rallies were peaceful, but there were violent scuffles and reports of injuries at a demonstration in Oakland, California.