8 Arrested After Protesters Rush Tables At U-M Board Of Regents Meeting
ANN ARBOR (WWJ) - Eight people were arrested at a protest that disrupted a University of Michigan Board of Regents meeting Thursday.
Protesters — arguing that the school should admit more minorities — rushed the tables, causing a disturbance similar to one that took place last November.
"Several people from the audience swarmed the tables," said Campus Public Safety spokeswoman Diane Brown. "The police officers were able to control them in the middle of the room."
At least four tables went flying, along with multiple chairs, the Detroit Free Press reported; and several police officers tackled protesters, who fought back, shoving and kicking.
Several protesters arrested at #umich. #BAMN pic.twitter.com/FQ5cjNpq3j
— Kim Kozlowski (@kimberkoz) April 16, 2015
Photos posted to Twitter showed protesters handcuffed with plastic zip-ties as they were held to the floor.
"Most of them are not U of M students," said Brown, of those in custody. "They were folks coming in from outside, probably, to create a disturbance."
Brown told WWJ Newsradio 950's Russ McNamara the arrested protesters would likely be charged with disturbing a public meeting; and, some of them, with resisting arrest.
Meanwhile protesters outside #umich meeting still chanting. Police surround crowd of about 25. #bamn pic.twitter.com/lnpAiy7Ymj
— Kim Kozlowski (@kimberkoz) April 16, 2015
No serious injuries were reported.
There were both uniformed and plain clothes officers in attendance at the meeting, according to Brown; although she wouldn't specify just how many cops were at the scene.
A Board of Regents is an independent governing body that oversees a state's public colleges and universities