MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Some University of Tennessee Health Science Center students and faculty members dawned their white coats at a “die-in” protest Wednesday.

Student organizers said more than 70 medical schools have taken part in this type of protest across the country. During a “die-in,” students lie on the ground for people who have lost their lives in what they believe are unjust ways.

These protests are in response to the deaths of Michael Brown in Missouri and Eric Garner in New York.

“We made an oath to protect human rights, protect our patients, love them as human beings regardless of race, regardless of ethnicity, and that is why we’re out here supporting this,” medical student Cynthia Anunoni, who is the president of the Student National Medical Association, said.

The group addresses the needs of minority students.

Students from different departments at UTHSC took part in the chants, die-in, and sign waving.

Some students were unhappy with the protest, because the school sent out an email from SNMA about the event. One student told WREG that regardless of the message, he doesn’t feel the school should promote information about political events.

UT explained that the student group went through the proper channels to hold the protest, and it was not school-sponsored. The school said it forwards all student group emails to students and this one was no different.

Anunobi said she was pleased with the event’s turn out.