GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- The seven protesters arrested during an immigration rally last week pleaded not guilty Friday morning to a 93-day misdemeanor.

Westlin G. Sullivan, John R. Martin, Ryan N. Hagerman, Katy M. Steele-Barone, Marie C. Camp, Amy R. Carpenter-Leugs and Jeffrey A. Smith were arraigned Friday, July 6, on one count of failing or refusing to obey a police officer's lawful command.

The misdemeanor is punishable by up to 93 days in jail and/or a $500 fine.

The charge stems from a June 28 protest against Kent County's contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. That day, organizers shut down a Kent County Commission Board Meeting and then marched through the streets.

Seven among the group of about 100 were arrested by Grand Rapids police after sitting in the roadway on Michigan Street NW at Ottawa Avenue.

Carpenter-Leugs, speaking after her arraignment, said the act was to show solidarity with immigrant families being separated at the border and in Kent County.

"This is an act of civil disobedience," Carpenter-Leugs said. "There are cities and counties all over the U.S. who are ending their contracts with ICE, and we want Kent County to do the same. We want commissioners to make that happen."

The ICE contract, signed in 2012 and renewed in late 2017, allows the Kent County Jail to bill ICE for an agreed upon price each day the jail holds a person with an immigration detainment request.

In 2017, the Kent County Sheriff's Office kept 185 people jailed at the request of ICE, resulting in a revenue of $17,935, according to county spokesperson Lisa LaPlante. The jail's budget that year was $36 million.

Without a contract, LaPlante said the county would continue to honor ICE detainment requests. The only difference is the county could no longer hold detainees for up to three days.

About 100 people intended to address the Kent County Board of Commissioners at their June 28 meeting, but it quickly fell into disarray when a protester interrupted a person giving public comment.

After the protester, Karla Barberi, refused to sit down, board of commissioners chairman Jim Saalfeld called for deputies to remove her. She wasn't removed.

A group of roughly 10 protesters then stormed the center of the commission floor with an anti-contract banner. As they did, Saalfeld suspended the meeting. He and most commissioners exited through the back.