Hundreds of protesters marched to Rikers Island in the Bronx Saturday to demand the immediate closure of the jail.

Organizers called on former detainees, elected officials, even celebrities, to get their message across. 

"This horrific treatment of our people has to change," said hip-hop mogul and Queens native Russell Simmons.

Protestors claim Rikers is plagued with violence and corruption — citing recent cases of crime — as well as the arrests of several jail guards.  

A pattern of problems, this former detainee says is not new.

"These human rights violations have been going on for years," said Xena Grandichelio.

That issue compounded by a massive backlog of cases, which has resulted in some detainees spending excessive amounts of time behind bars.  

Inmates like Kalief Browder who committed suicide following three years at Rikers — two of them in solitary confinement — all awaiting trial for allegedly stealing a backpack. The charges were eventually dropped.

"When it comes to the people that they've tortured we need it shut down and that's why this effort was put together," said Akeem Browder, Kalief's brother.

"More than 80 percent of the people that are on Rikers Island are not even convicted of anything and yet they are treated like criminals," said Bronx Senator Gustavo Rivera.

There have been recent changes at the jail — the Bronx District Attorney's Office, which is responsible for prosecuting Rikers cases, recently opened a new satellite office on the island — an attempt to expedite complaints.

And earlier this month, the mayor's office announced that some guards will be armed with Tasers, and airport-style scanners will be used to help stop the flow of contraband.

City Hall released a statement Saturday saying it's looking into whether it's actually feasible to shut down Rikers — and that their focus remains on safety concerns.

"The reforms that are happening I understand where the mayor is coming from," said Glenn Martin with Just Leadership USA. "I actually think closing Rikers lines up with his values. I'd like to believe that but the truth is for me that served time on Rikers it amounts to lipstick on a pig."

Organizers say they plan to hold many more events in the future, hoping to keep their message out there, that the jail needs to close.