Cardi DeMonaco, president of the Student Association of Michigan, makes opening statements in front of hundreds of students from Michigan’s major public colleges and several community colleges.

Jay Gage, a Lake Superior State student and operating officer for student government, speaks to a crowd of hundreds.

Penny Gardner, president of the Union of Nontenure Faculty at Michigan State University, advocates for the quality and accessibility of higher education for Michigan residents.

Wayne State University student Keely Czartorski calls for the Michigan Legislature to “invest in Michigan, so we can invest in you.”

Students climb stairs to find the Senate in session at Michigan’s State Capitol Building.

Students filled the Michigan capitol building in demonstration against defunding of higher education.