USC removes outside commencement speakers after cancelling valedictorian’s speech

The University of Southern California (USC) announced Friday that it will eliminate all external speakers at this year’s commencement ceremonies. It comes days after the university canceled a Muslim student’s valedictorian speech following a series of social media posts about Israel.

A statement posted on the university’s Commencement website said: “Given the highly publicized circumstances surrounding the Main Stage Commencement program, university leadership has announced that external speakers and honorees will be included in this year’s ceremony. I have decided that it is best to cancel my attendance.”

“We are in discussions with this exceptional group and hope to award these honorary degrees at future graduations and other academic ceremonies,” the unsigned statement continued.

The US valedictorian, whose speech was canceled, defends the call to abolish the current state of Israel, saying he has not apologized.

The statement went on to say that alongside the main stage ceremony, “38 satellite ceremonies, five galas, and 65 receptions” will include “other internal and external speakers and performers.”

The announcement comes days after USC announced it would not allow biomedical engineering major Asna Tabassum to speak as valedictorian at the main stage commencement ceremony, which draws 65,000 people to the University Park campus.

University of Southern California cancels valedictorian’s commencement speech after anti-Israel social media posts raise security concerns

“After careful consideration, we have decided that the valedictorian will not give a speech at commencement. While this is unfortunate, tradition must continue in the interest of safety,” said Andrew, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.・Mr. Guzman said in a statement.

Guzman said the decision was necessary to keep the school and students safe.

The announcement comes days after USC announced it would not allow biomedical engineering major Asna Tabassum to speak as valedictorian at the main stage commencement ceremony, which draws 65,000 people to the University Park campus. (X/Screenshot/Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

“To be clear, this decision has nothing to do with free speech. There is no free speech right to speak at commencement ceremonies. The issue here is: how do we ensure campus security and safety?” Is it best to maintain it?” Guzman wrote.

A university president who stands tall?More universities are enacting laws against anti-Semitism

USC told the Los Angeles Times that it had received threats via letters, phone calls and emails.

After his speech was canceled, Tabassum appeared on CNN and said he was unapologetic about promoting “the clear and unconditional right to life of all people, including Palestinians,” and that he was anti-Israel. claimed that was the point of his social media post. He canceled his speech at school. (Wally Scully/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

After his speech was canceled, Tabassum appeared on CNN and said he was unapologetic about promoting “the clear and unconditional right to life of all people, including Palestinians,” and that he was anti-Israel. He claimed that his social media posts were the intended purpose. He canceled his speech at school.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“It’s unfortunate that human rights are so controversial,” Tabassum said. She also claimed that her university teachers and her peers helped shape her opinions.

In response, anti-Semitism monitoring groupstop antisemitism” accused USC of victimizing the valedictorian, telling Fox News Digital, “What has turned into a denial of the Jewish people’s right to self-determination is now being masked by false calls of Islamophobia.” he said.

FOX News’ Nicholas Lanham and Gabriel Hayes contributed to this report.