Demonstrators protesting the deadly shooting of an unarmed teen in Ferguson, Missouri, were arrested at the federal courthouse in Miami by U.S. Marshals and other law enforcement Thursday.
Some protesters were inside the federal courthouse and could be seen standing in the lobby with their arms raised. Dozens of other protesters outside the courthouse could be heard chanting on video shot by NBC 6 reporter Jamie Guirola.
Eight people were arrested inside the courthouse, but not before U.S. Marshals asked the protestors if they really wanted to be detained. All of those arrested were members of a group called "Dream Defenders."
"Absolutely we need more and more folks to take this type of action and make it very clear that we need action on our elected leadership and the folks in the Department of Justice," said Curtis Hierro.
Guirola reported the group tried to make an appointment with U.S. Attorney Wilfredo Ferrer to talk about Ferguson and police brutality cases in Miami. When they got no response, they decided to confront the U.S. Attorney at his office.
"The first and primary demand is that President Obama and Eric Holder re-release their statement on the death of Mike Brown," said Phillip Agnew, executive director of the Dream Defenders. "They say he passed away. We think that's inadequate and it's also a front to his humanity."
The eight protesters were released later in the evening and left with citations for disturbing the peace, but no meeting with the U.S. attorney. They said their protest wasn't just about Ferguson.
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"The case of the Palestinian tourist in 2009. The case of Israel Hernandez one year ago, who was murdered at the hands of the police department right here. Miami Gardens where they call it suspect city stopping and frisking you and infringing upon their human rights," Agnew said.
The protest in Miami comes as thousands of people in more than 100 cities around the United States were set to hold a moment of silence for slain teen Michael Brown at 7:20 p.m.
The vigils have been planned through social media using the hashtag #NMOS14.
