Actors Ben Affleck and Matt Damon blasted Harvard for not paying all its workers a living wage, returning to their hometown on Saturday to urge the University to fulfill its obligations to the community.

More than 400 people--ranging from labor activists to star-struck fans--jammed the green in front of Littauer Center to catch a glimpse of the Academy Award winners and to demand the University pay all of its workers a wage of at least $10.25 per hour.

The rally took place days after Harvard issued a report calling for increased benefits but denying a wage hike.

Damon, Class of 1992, who left Harvard to pursue an acting career, said the University's failure to enact a living wage embarrassed him "as a Harvard person."

"I'm afraid this is one of those painful moments when it is morally incumbent on the son to turn around and reproach his parents for not living up to their own moral standards," Damon said. "This is the richest university in the world, and the fact that the people who keep this machine running--who feed the students, look out for their safety and clean their bathrooms and hallways--are not given a living wage is demeaning to us all."

Affleck spoke of his family's experiences with Harvard as an employer--both his father and his stepmother had worked at the University--and called Harvard's actions "inexcusable."

"This is not a lark for these people, it is not 'casual' work, it is their life and their livelihood," he said.

The rally--by far the largest on campus this year--also featured Boston University historian Howard Zinn, Cambridge Mayor Anthony D. Galluccio, City Councillor Marjorie C. Decker and a string of students, workers, union leaders and community activists.