“We have been assured by our speakers that they have not supported any hatred directed towards any group and that allegations to the contrary are untrue and/or misinterpreted,” a press release from the HESLS stated.
In another press release, the Harvard Extension Students Association, an umbrella group that is not associated with the conference, distanced itself from the conference.
“[HESA] does not endorse the views of any particular club and does not have final authority to approve or restrict student club events,” the organization wrote in a press release.
“We have been assured by the student organizers that this conference is not intended to foster enmity toward any group,” the statement continued.
—Staff writer Benjamin M. Scuderi can be reached at bscuderi@college.harvard.edu
—Staff writer Hana N. Rouse can be reached at hrouse@college.harvard.edu