Students say their unity is appreciated by the workers, although much of the attention has focused on the protest. We have workers all day coming up to us, thanking us, congratulating us for standing in solidarity. Workers were less conspicuous than students throughout most of the protest, though janitors at the medical school held their own rally Thursday in Boston. Some blue-collar workers have said they're nervous about being too outspoken, and others have said they're simply too busy working. But in interviews with more than a dozen Harvard blue-collar workers Thursday, all said they were grateful for the students' efforts.
Grocery stores go up.
Clothing stores go up. Rent goes up. Dan O'Connell, a Harvard custodian of 25 years who left school after ninth grade to care for his family, says he's taken advantage of Harvard's education programs and is currently taking a computer class. He also says workers bear some responsibility to better themselves and find better jobs. But you can't get anywhere with it.