GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Police arrested seven protesters who sat on Michigan Street NW at Ottawa Avenue during a march against Kent County's contract with U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement.

Marchers had just left a county Board of Commissioners' meeting that was suspended when protesters, carrying an anti-contract banner, took over.

Many commissioners left the room.

The protesters, about 100, marched on Ottawa toward Michigan around 9:45 a.m.

At one point, marchers - allied with Movimiento Cosecha GR - chanted, "ICE out of Kent County."

By 10 a.m., the crowd started to gather near Michigan and Ottawa. Police advised them to stay on sidewalks and not block traffic.

Seven marchers, all holding the group's banner, "disregarded the officers' repeated commands and proceeded to the middle of the intersection completely blocking traffic," Sgt. Cathy Williams said.

"When warned that their actions were putting themselves, motorists and those seeking medical treatment in harm's way and they would be arrested if they did not move, all of them sat down further failing to comply with instructions," Williams said.

She said police were "forced" to arrest the seven for blocking the intersection. The seven were arrested on misdemeanor charges of failing to comply with a lawful order and resisting and obstructing police.

Others eventually returned to Calder Plaza.

In a statement, Chief David Rahinsky said his department "has great respect and admiration for the Constitutional expression that is a basis for our American freedoms. However, when demonstrators block a road that leads to faciliites which provide emergency medical treatment for the City of Grand Rapids residents and West Michigan, they endanger the heal, safety and welfare of the community.

Protesters contended that Kent County's contract with ICE separates local families. Under a contract, Kent County Jail will house ICE detainees for up to three days.

The Sheriff's Department can bill ICE $85 per day for each detainee plus other costs.