OAN’s Brooke Mallory
4:52 PM – Wednesday, April 17, 2024
The University of Southern California (USC) valedictorian will not deliver this year’s commencement address, citing “significant security risks” arising from the debate over the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
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According to the University of Los Angeles, Asna Tabassum, a fourth-year student from Chino Hills, California, was selected as valedictorian and agreed to give a speech along with the two celebrants.
However, the university announced in a news release Monday that she will no longer speak at the ceremony due to the “alarming attitude” of the conversation surrounding her selection.
The university took action after complaints from students, alumni and other stakeholders about Tabassum’s social media presence, including an Instagram profile linked to pages supporting Palestine and denouncing Israel.
“The intensity of emotion, fueled both by social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to involve many voices outside the University of Southern California, raising the grave risks associated with security and disruption at the outset.” It has escalated to the point where we are producing,” said Chancellor Andrew. Guzman said.
Guzman said the school cannot deny that similar risks later led to violence and harassment on other campuses. He went on to say that the campus safety team and the school’s Department of Public Safety consulted to assess potential risks for the graduation ceremony, which typically draws about 65,000 attendees.
“This decision is not only necessary to maintain the safety of our campus and students, but also includes the fundamental expectations of federal regulators that the university will act to protect students and keep the campus community safe.” It is consistent with our legal obligations,” Guzmán said.
In a statement released through the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Los Angeles, Tabassum, who was elected valedictorian, discussed the university’s decision.
“This should have been a time of celebration for my family, friends, professors, and classmates, but anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian voices made me feel terrible. campaign of racist hatred “Because of my uncompromising belief in the human rights of all people,” she said.
The council said the school’s actions “send a terrible message not only to USC’s Muslim students, but to all students who dare to express support for Palestinian humanity” and amplify voices of hate. It was alleged that the school was in violation of its obligation to expose students.
Meanwhile, the pro-Israel student group Trojans For Israel was among those criticizing Tasabum, who is scheduled to speak at the graduation ceremony. The group said allowing her to speak at university events would turn “an inclusive and meaningful milestone into an unwelcoming and intolerant environment for a Jewish graduate and her family.” He claimed to be deaf.
Nevertheless, Democratic politicians known for their anti-Israel accusations, such as Rashida Tlaib, echoed the news and expressed support for Tabassum.
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