Days after the University of Southern California (USC) announced it would cancel valedictorian speeches and all outside speakers at this year’s commencement ceremonies, protesters took to the school’s campus on Sunday to show support for fellow students. gathered on campus.
USC announced it would not allow biomedical engineering major Asna Tabassum to give her valedictorian speech on the main stage to 65,000 people on its University Park campus after 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.”
Tabassum’s social media posts, which critics have labeled anti-Semitic, reportedly called for an end to the Jewish state. In an interview with CNN, the University of Southern California valedictorian defended his position.
University of Southern California removes outside speakers after canceling valedictorian speech
This year, as the LA Times Festival of Books was held at USC, CODEPINK expressed solidarity with 2024 valedictorian Asuna Tabassum, who had remained silent. (X/@codepink)
“Let me be clear: the abolition of the state of Israel is the abolition of the apartheid system, which is a system that inherently dehumanizes and oppresses Palestinians. “Conquer it as something of no value like life,” she said.
USC’s move drew the ire of a group called CODEPINK. organized a demonstration They asked the school to allow Mr. Tabassum to speak. “As the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books was held at USC this year, we stand in solidarity with silenced 2024 Valedictorian Asuna Tabassum! Shame on USC! Reinstate Asuna’s Speech Let’s do it!” the group wrote in a post to X.
According to the group’s website, CODEPINK works to end U.S. wars and imperialism, support peace and human rights initiatives, and direct resources to health care, education, green jobs, and other life-affirming programs. is a feminist grassroots organization working to
A spokesperson for the organization told Fox News Digital that the organization is working on its next strategy following the cancellation of all graduation speakers.
“Our hope is that the voices of young Muslim women are not censored and silenced. Shame on the University of Southern California for doing so,” the group said.
Columbia Jewish student says anti-Israel mob chased him off campus: ‘I don’t feel safe anymore’
Hundreds of protesters gathered at the University of Southern California to support 2024 valedictorian Asna Tabassum after her commencement speech was canceled. (X/@codepink)
USC said the valedictorian was kept silent not because of his political views on the ongoing turmoil in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas, but for the safety of Tabassum and other attendees.
“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.
“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.
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USC also told the Los Angeles Times that he had received threats via letters, phone calls and emails.
Fox News’ Nikolas Lanum, Gabriel Hays and Haley Chi-Sing contributed to this report.
