“If the faculty wants to register a vote of ‘no confidence,’ we’re with them, in solidarity with them,” he added.

Julia M. Lewandoski ’06, echoed that sentiment.

“Being a feminist activist, you usually run up against a lot of apathy and opposition,” she said. “We’d love for this event to be a catalyst for these issues coming out and people coming together.”

In a symbolic gesture, the speakers and audience members, many of whom carried neon picket signs, stuffed “no confidence” ballots into a mock ballot box.

When the speakers finished, the participants, still shouting for Summers’ resignation, trooped to Lowell Lecture Hall, where faculty members were still filing in.

Representatives of “Students for Larry” also turned out, distributing information to the press and displaying a lone neon green sign supporting Summers.

“We strongly believe that academic freedom should be preserved,” said Matthew P. Downer ‘07, one of the group’s founders. “We support scientific inquiry whether or not it’s politically correct.”

The speeches were interrupted intermittently by cheering and chanting from the crowd.

Some students in the crowd were optimistic that the large amount of attention given to Summers’ comments will spur change.

“Hopefully this embarrassment will motivate the University to do something,” said Maureen D. Connolly ’06, a member of the Coalition.