Supporters say the monument represents both local and global histories.

"It's heritage," said Jack J. Mahoney, one of 50-odd participants in the march to the commission. "I think it's very fitting that the City of Cambridge remember [the Irish]. They had a lot to do with the politics and history of Cambridge."

And O'Connor sees a larger purpose to constructing the memorial.

"The memorial is not just for the Irish, but for all people. The great lesson is that nowhere on earth should people be put to death, in the most horrible and unspeakable manner, where food is available," he said.

One supporter told the commission that the monument would "send a positive message about immigration in a time when immigrant bashing is a popular pastime."

It was the monument's pluralistic relevance which appealed most to the commission.

"I didn't come thinking that I was going to favor it," said one commission member, who said the monument's "call to universality" changed her mind.

But the Historical Commission found itself unable to grant actual permission for the monument at this time.

Questions about the monument's design and presentation, and its specific location were cited by commission members who favored waiting for more information before granting a certificate of appropriateness.

Several commissioners still had reservations about using the Common as the site for the monument.

Commissioner M. Wyllis Bibbins called the Common a "totally inappropriate place" for the monument, telling supporters that it is "not your best forum," considering that relatively few people who frequent the Common.

After more than two hours of listening to supporters' statements, the seven-member commission unanimously agreed "to approve in concept" the construction of a monument to the Irish famine, "with the details and site to be worked out in a broader process."

Supporters are expected to bring a more specific proposal to the next commission meeting, scheduled for November 7