“We’ve had input from prisoners who have been directly affected,” Thompson said. “We don’t want to speak for people whose voices have been silenced. We want to give them the platform so they can speak for themselves.”

Shang and other 7x9 organizers on campus are currently working with the American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts, as well as Solitary Watch and the Stop Mass Incarceration Network, to form a broader movement for prison reform.  

“In the public sphere, we hope to send a signal to the world that college students around the country care about human rights abuses,” Shang said.

By Wednesday afternoon, sheets of easel paper in front of the blue tape rectangle were filled with multi-colored suggestions for prison reform from students and local community members alike.

This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:

CORRECTION: October 17, 2014

An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the number of protesters who took part in the daylong demonstration. In fact, there were 21.

CORRECTION: October 19, 2014

An earlier version of this article also incorrectly identified the national alliance of college students that aims to raise awareness and public discourse on prison conditions. In fact, it is the Student Alliance for Prison Reform.