BEND, OR -- COCC Students held a stand-in protest Wednesday ahead of a board meeting at the Bend campus.

The demonstration was to oppose the school's decision to invite Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer to give the commencement address Saturday. Protesters say her policies are transphobic.

“We just wanted to show opposition in the board's decision to not rescind the invitation of LCD as a commencement speaker for this year's commencement,” Bravo tells KBND News students want to have a say in future speakers, “I think moving forward that some sort of feedback from students or just some sort of clearance by the students to have somebody represent the interests of them.” Bravo says a petition is also circulating, “That petition is to support the process in selecting next year’s speakers and following speakers so that we actually have a voice as students to be able to decide who we want to represent us”.

Congresswoman Chavez-DeRemer told KBND News earlier this week she respects the students’ right to protest, and plans to give a congratulatory address at graduation.