Hundreds show up to protest Governor Snyder's appearance at the University of Michigan

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (WXYZ) - Governor Rick Snyder delivered the University of Michigan's spring commencement speech today in Ann Arbor, but his appearance was met by hundreds of protesters.

They're upset with his budget proposal to cut higher education funding by at least 15 percent.

Hundreds protested outside Michigan Stadium and a handful of students inside. His speech garnered mostly applause, but several students turned their backs among the thousands in attendance.

As graduates and their guests entered the stadium, some protesters gathered outside passed out flyers and held signs critical of the Republican governor. Hundreds convened before the speech in the stands of a nearby high school football field and marched to the stadium.

The school defended inviting the governor to speak, noting that
every sitting governor since 1967 has given a commencement speech at the university while in office.

The university awarded honorary degrees to Snyder and several
others, including filmmaker Spike Lee, former U.S. Rep. Vernon
Ehlers and Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford.