A few workers also took the podium to applaud the students.
"For a long time, we were the forgotten workers, but not any more," said one janitor, wearing a crimson work jacket.
"All my heart is with you guys," he said, eliciting cheers from the audience.
The hour and a half of speeches were just a prelude to the students' exit--which took place 21 days, 3 hours and 52 minutes after the sit-in began.
Union leaders, administrators and the assembled local and national press formed a sort of runway as the 23 pale but freshly washed and shaven student activists filed out of the building.
They were greeted with hugs and red roses from fellow PSLM supporters who have spent the past three weeks rallying and organizing outside Mass. Hall.
Publicly, to throngs of supporters, the protesters claimed victory in their struggle against the University.
Stephen N. Smith '02 said he was thrilled with the agreement that brought an end to the sit-in.
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