O University of Southern California said its speaker will no longer give a commencement address this year, citing “substantial security-related risks” due to social media conversations surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict.
The Los Angeles school revealed that Asna Tabassum, a fourth-year student from Chino Hills, California, was chosen as valedictorian and would deliver a speech alongside two salutatorians. On a Press release Monday, the university said she would no longer speak at the ceremony after discussion over her selection took on “an alarming tenor.”
The move comes after some students, alumni and others complained to the university about Tabassum’s social media, which includes an Instagram bio with links to a pro-Palestine website.
“The intensity of feeling, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to include many voices outside of USC and escalated to the point of creating substantial security-related risks and disruptions early on,” Dean Andrew Guzmán said in a statement.
Guzman said the school cannot ignore that similar risks have led to harassment and violence on other campuses. He added that the school’s Department of Public Safety and campus security staff consulted to assess potential threats to the graduation, which typically attracts about 65,000 people.
“This decision is not only necessary to maintain the safety of our campus and students, but is consistent with the fundamental legal obligation – including the expectations of federal regulators – that universities act to protect students and maintain our campus community safe,” he said.
Groups ask to reverse USC decision
Tabassum addressed the university’s decision in a statement released by the Council on American-Islamic Relations in Los Angeles.
“Although this should have been a time of celebration for my family, friends, teachers and classmates, anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian voices subjected me to a racist hate campaign because of my uncompromising belief in human rights for all,” Tabassum said.
The board said the school’s decision empowers voices of hate, violates its obligation to project students and “sends a terrible message not only to Muslim students at USC, but to all students who dare express support for Palestinian humanity.” It also urges the community to demand that the school allow Tassabum to speak at graduation.
Among the calls against Tassabum as commencement speaker were the student group “Trojans to Israel,” which said its selection transformed “an inclusive and meaningful milestone into a hostile and intolerant environment for Jewish graduates and their families.”
The 2024 graduation ceremony is scheduled for Friday, May 10.
War in Gaza generates controversy around the world
Controversies over the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas have been amplified since October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched a brutal attack on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people.
More than 30,000 Palestinians have died in Gaza since that day. The region is also difficult to access, leaving many civilians displaced and facing hunger.
The crisis led to protests over release of Israeli hostages is for call for a ceasefire in Gazawith those speaking in support of Israelis and Palestinians on social media receiving threats.
Contributing: Kinsey Crowley
This article originally appeared in USA TODAY: USC cancels valedictorian speech due to security concerns
