Amid valedictorian protest, USC scrubs outside commencement speakers, honorees

Asna Tabassum, USC’s class of 2024 valedictorian and a first-generation, South Asian American Muslim, was previously announced as the school’s valedictorian, giving a speech at its Friday, May 10 commencement. But on April 15, officials backtracked the decision, citing safety issues after pro-Israel groups expressed concerns over Tabassum’s alleged antisemitic views.

“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,” according to a message sent to the USC community Friday afternoon. “We’ve been talking to this exceptional group and hope to confer these honorary degrees at a future commencement or other academic ceremonies.

But the decision drew quick condemnation from groups including the Muslim Public Affairs Council and the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Los Angeles, which deemed the decision “cowardly.” CAIR-LA officials said Wednesday that a petition it initiated calling for USC to reverse its decision had received 38,000 signatures within 48 hours.

“If the university can accommodate speeches by Ben Shapiro and Milo Yiannopoulos and host President Obama and the king of Jordan at its graduations, surely it can bear whatever burden comes with celebrating Asna Tabassum as its valedictorian,” Tajsar said. “… I am both shocked by this decision and profoundly disappointed that the university is succumbing to a campaign of hate meant to silence my voice,” she said. “I am not surprised by those who attempt to propagate hatred. I am surprised that my own university — my home for four years — has abandoned me.”

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