Hundreds of protesters gathered at the University of Southern California on Sunday in support of Class of 2024 valedictorian Asna Tabassum after her commencement speech was canceled, along with other outside commencement speakers.
the university that they were canceling your speech over safety concerns. have they given you any reasons or details as to what those concerns were? yeah, it was unexpected, for sure. i think i was a little disappointed in my university, especially because they ve had my back all four years that i ve been at u.s.. this was not the greatest feeling, for sure. i think what was the toughest part about it is that i received no details as to what the security concerns were. i care about safety and ultimately, if i were given concerns, i would ve made the necessary steps but i was not given a reason to believe that security was the basis of the decision. there were several pro- israel groups who demanded the university rescind that your selection due to pro- palestinian social media. do you believe that was a factor in the decision by the university to not allow you to give this valedictorian speech?
USC has canceled all commencement speakers for this year’s graduation ceremony amid controversy surrounding the revocation of the university’s valedictorian speech. “Given the highly publicized circumstances surrounding our main-stage commencement program, university leadership has decided it is best to release our outside speakers and honorees from attending this year’s ceremony,” the University of Southern California […]