Dueling rallies to focus on bias lawsuit against Harvard

BOSTON (AP) - Dueling rallies are being held in Boston and Cambridge focused on a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination at Harvard University.

A Sunday demonstration in Copley Square is being organized by the Asian American Coalition for Education, a nonprofit civil rights group based in New Jersey. It’s meant to back a lawsuit heading to trial Monday accusing Harvard of bias against Asian American applicants.

Speakers are scheduled to include Edward Blum, president of Students for Fair Admissions, the Virginia organization behind the lawsuit.

Also Sunday, demonstrators plan to rally in Harvard Square in opposition to the lawsuit. The demonstrators say they represent more 30 Harvard student, alumni and staff groups and support campus diversity.

Harvard denies any discrimination and says it considers the race of its applicants as one of many factors.