Hedy Epstein knows a thing or two about human rights. As a Holocaust survivor, German-born Epstein has seen her share of abuse and oppression. After all, the Nazis didn't care much for the civil liberties of Jews or for anyone who wasn't of the Aryan race.

Epstein's experience is why she eventually immigrated to the United States, where she has been an outspoken activist for affordable housing, anti-war and pro-choice issues. The St. Louis resident, who was born in 1924, even founded the local chapter of Women in Black, a group that began as a response to Israel's occupation and has broadened to become anti-war in general.

With that kind of résumé, it's no surprise that Epstein wanted to voice her opinion about Michael Brown's death and the handling of the investigation. But what's surprising to many is that Epstein would be taken into custody while doing so.

See also: Cops in Ferguson Detain Journalists, Threaten to Shoot Cameraman, Mace Reporter

Epstein was part of a crowd of about 100 people who gathered in downtown St. Louis on Monday, August 18. The group's plan was to march down Market Street near Kiener Plaza and turn toward the Wainwright Building on North Seventh Street, where Missouri Governor Jay Nixon has an office:

March is about to begin. Chanting "hey hey ho go! National guard has got to go." #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/xLHs73Swuz

— Steven Hsieh 謝章仁 (@stevenjhsieh) August 18, 2014

The group arrived at the Wainwright Building, perhaps confusing bike patrol officers:

At the governors office! Hands up don't shoot! pic.twitter.com/qiYBj85XRc

— Show Me $15 (@Show_Me15) August 18, 2014

Bike patrols figuring out what to do. Crowd against door. "We demand to get in." pic.twitter.com/ZJc8ZHvYTc

— Nancy Cambria (@nanecam) August 18, 2014

Protesters tried to enter the building, ostensibly to meet with Nixon:

Protesters now trying to enter state office building, blocked by security #ferguson "Whose building? Our building!" pic.twitter.com/dDXcS4dZeo

— Ferguson Solidarity (@FergusonUnity) August 18, 2014

But then the group turned the protest into a sit-in:

Protestors at Gov. Jay Nixons door! pic.twitter.com/8gwhPlvHyf

— Cheeraz (@Aturah) August 18, 2014

Sit-in outside wainwright building right now. #ferguson #justiceformikebrown. pic.twitter.com/PU1BLo0sPQ

— Ferguson Solidarity (@FergusonUnity) August 18, 2014

Eventually, some protesters spoke on a bullhorn and led the group in chanting "Hey, hey, ho, ho, the National Guard has got to go," and "Whose building? Our building," among other things:

"Whose building? Our building," chants crowd at civil disobedience rally outside state bldg in downtown St. Louis. "This is 1962" says one.

— Zachary Roth (@zackroth) August 18, 2014

Chanting "Who's building? Our building!" #Ferguson https://t.co/NERVnKonpj

— Steven Hsieh 謝章仁 (@stevenjhsieh) August 18, 2014

I'm pregnant and I don't want to think of raising a black man! The only race is human we have to stand together! pic.twitter.com/cFcdsTqbek

— Show Me $15 (@Show_Me15) August 18, 2014

The police and security officers again denied protesters entry to the Wainwright Building:

Protesters aren't being let in, security told me they're not here on "official business" - #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/6CleokqMnA

— Chris Stanford (@StanfordKMOV) August 18, 2014

They've got protesters surrounded. Including @Awkward_Duck @GeekNStereo & an elderly woman from #palestine #MIKEBROWN pic.twitter.com/OCYdeNnRGd

— ShordeeDooWhop (@Nettaaaaaaaa) August 18, 2014

And that's when the St. Louis Business Journal reports that police arrested eight protesters -- including Epstein, who was wearing a shirt that said "Stay Human" -- for blocking the Wainwright Building's entrance:

Hedy Epstein, Holocaust survivor RT @alidreith Large cheering for the arrest of this woman #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/eHkA0qmzTu

— St Louis 7th Ward (@stl7thward) August 18, 2014

@RiverfrontTimes Holocaust survivor gets obtained while trying to move forward to the state office building pic.twitter.com/vwNN5TnVDf

— SAXOPHONE JOE x RTC (@dylanbrady) August 18, 2014

Downtown #STL now. #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/WOZz75iaoq

— Mike Baldwin (@MichaelLBaldwin) August 18, 2014

Pregnant woman getting arrested #Ferguson pic.twitter.com/1oZhihWb72

— Alison Dreith (@alidreith) August 18, 2014

And 90 year old survivor of the holocaust was arrested just now completely nonviolent protest #justiceForMi... https://t.co/fTCggHnz3m

— Tef Poe/FootKlan (@TefPoe) August 18, 2014

Read the Riverfront Times' complete Michael Brown / Ferguson coverage.

Follow Allison Babka on Twitter at @ambabka or email allison.babka@riverfronttimes.com.