Prior to the event, Mersol-Barg said CTE is “humbled” to “stand in solidarity” with One Michigan, as echoed in a statement from CTE in support of the nonviolent civil disobedience.

Before taking to the streets, three local youth said they were unable to attend the University due to the tuition policy shared their stories to inspire the crowd before the march.

Javier Contreras, a senior at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor, was admitted to the University but remains unsure if he can attend due to the high cost as an undocumented student. Contreras was born in Mexico, but has lived in the city since he was four years old.

“It astonishes me that this so-called prestigious institute refuses to give some of the great minds of the future a chance to succeed,” Contreras said. “The time is now for the University of Michigan to pass tuition equality.”

As an undocumented resident of Michigan, Contreras was unable to go to Europe with his high school or to get a driver’s license. Upon acceptance to the University, Contreras said his excitement immediately dwindled upon realizing he wouldn’t be able to afford tuition.

University spokeswoman Kelly Cunningham said the protesters’ approach will not likely impede administrator’s discussions with CTE.

“The University absolutely respects the rights to protest and express their views,” Cunningham said.

After the speakers shared their stories, the protesters marched to President Coleman’s house on South University Avenue, shouting, “Education not segregation.”

When protesters moved to the intersection of State Street and South University Avenue, immediately clogging traffic, horns blared and drivers yelled out car windows. Some drivers supported the protest, but yelled for them to clear the road.

As she put her car in park, a driver stalled by the protest said she wasn’t in a rush.

“I’m a little bit frustrated; I totally support what they’re doing,” she said. “I just don’t really know what to do right now. I almost got out of my car and stood with them.”

The driver added that it seemed the protest signs which alluded to the feeling of undocumented students feeling “stuck,” mirrored the unpassable position of the drivers.

For about 10 minutes, the first officers on the scene directed traffic around the protestors. As more University Police and Ann Arbor Police approached the group, protesters moved to the sidewalk to avoid being arrested while some — included the eight arrested — sat in the street, waiting to be handcuffed.

Before getting arrested, LSA junior Ramiro Alvarez said he believes the University should address the tuition issue with urgency.

“I just think it’s absurd,” Alvarez said. “I’ll risk whatever privilege I have for their sake because I have family who can’t come here because of this.”

Social Work alum Marcha Valabez held her spot on the corner of the white, decorated cloth protesters sat on as officers went around to each person asking if they were sure they wanted to go through with an arrest. As each protester nodded, the officer provided a pat on the shoulders before clicking on handcuffs.

“I was nervous at first, I was hesitant at first. But at the end of the day, I’m not afraid, because there are kids and families living in fear everyday of getting taken away,” Valabez said.

Thirty seconds later, Valabez was handcuffed and led to a nearby squad car.

At UMPD headquarters, the arrested individuals were greeted by a crowd of proud supporters and representatives from the National Lawyers Guild, who observed the event to ensure that the students’ legal rights were being respected.

LSA senior Luz Meza said she took the arrest for the thousands of undocumented students who are not able to attend the University and other institutions that do not offer in-state tuition to them.

"I would do it again if I had to," Meza said.