According to Adams, those groups take direction from the permanent bureaucracy.

"It's all been done through the leadership of Phillip Parsons," he added.

Parsons responded that it was flattering to think that any one person in the Harvard administration could conceivably have so much power.

Parsons said the idea for the renovations was completely formed by the architects and that the administration did not conceive of the project's design before going to the company.

Local architectural designer and critic Phillip Arcidi, and Adams' friend Iten Fales, the wife of a Harvard alumnus and teaching fellow, helped Adams distribute his fliers.

Arcidi is a member of the Committee to Save the Great Hall of the Harvard Union. Adams, who arrived in Cambridge last night, is staying with the Fales.

"It is truly an eleventh hour effort," said Arcidi. "The more word of how insidious the University is, the more hope we have," he added.

Forbes, one of the leaders of an alumni group protesting the renovations, said that although Adams is not officially connected with the Committee to Save the Great Hall, the organization supported the demonstration.

Throughout the protest, pedestrians slowed as they approached the shackled Adams, who wore a blue hat, a tan scarf and a yellow carnation.

At least one of the passers-by sympathized with Adams.

"Knowing the hall, I tend to agree [with Adams]," said Stratis Haviaras, curator of the poetry room and editor of Harvard Review.

Haviaras upheld Adams' right to stage a protest.

"This University declares itself as a University of diversity of opinions," Harviaras said. "As such, it is right that Adams is protesting the renovation of the Great Hall."

But seeing the construction already underway, Haviaras was doubtful whether Adams's efforts would save the Union's Great Hall.

One Harvard police car remained across the street for the majority of the demonstration.

Harvard Police Lt. John F. Rooney, who was at the scene for a time, said the police would not prevent Adams' demonstration.

"This is a mild form of protest. We respect his opinion," Rooney said. "We are very well versed in controversial situations at this University, so we are not too alarmed by this.