Three people were arrested by Vancouver police after they occupied the department’s Main Street station during a protest over the investigation into the death of a 22-year-old women in the Downtown Eastside.

A vigil and rally were planned yesterday (October 4) for Ashley Machiskinic, who was found dead last month.

“The circumstances of her death clearly indicate this was not a suicide; this was a murder that absolutely must be investigated by the Vancouver Police Department,” reads a statement from vigil organizer Stella August.

According to the VPD, the Vancouver Police Major Crime section is overseeing the investigation into Machisknic’s death and homicide detectives are involved.

Police say eight people entered the Main Street station yesterday and told officers they would remain in the building until they could meet with Chief Jim Chu.

“Chief Constable Jim Chu agreed to meet with a representative at a later date to discuss their concerns and that prompted five of the protesters to leave on their own accord, with the remaining three protesters indicating they would prefer to be arrested,” a Vancouver police news release says.

The three women who remained were arrested on charges of assault by trespassing.

“They allegedly refused repeated appeals by officers to leave and indicated that officers would have to arrest them,” police say.