Eight protesters were arrested downtown Thursday night at Occupy Raleigh, including one student.

Police charged Katina Gad, a senior in fashion and textile management, with second degree trespassing — a type one misdemeanor. Gad said one of the reasons she was arrested was she was sitting in a chair.

“I was sitting in a lawn chair on the sidewalk holding a sign. I don’t understand how sitting on a chair on the sidewalk can be considered trespassing,” Gad said. “Police say ‘stand up, sit down.’ We have video of them saying we can sit down.”

Officials were not planning on arresting people tonight, according to Gad.

“I walked into the state capitol building earlier today and they said they weren’t planning on arresting people. They just wanted to remove items [such as chairs],” Gad said.

Gad said the the arrests are far less important than the message Occupiers are trying to get across.

“I intend to protest economic injustice. What’s important is getting equality for people. I want to keep the focus on the pure, real meeting,” Gad said. “I have nothing but the best intentions.”

Jim Sughrue , public affairs director of the Raleigh Police Department, has been handling all requests from press regarding Occupy Raleigh. He was out of the office Thursday night; therefore, a statement could not be obtained.