Citing safety, USC cancels speech by valedictorian who has publicly supported Palestinians
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The University of Southern California has canceled a commencement speech by its 2024 valedictorian, a Muslim student who has expressed support for Palestinians, citing “substantial” security risks for the event that draws 65,000 people to campus.
Andrew T. Guzman, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs for the private university in Los Angeles, said in a statement Monday that the debate over the selection of the valedictorian has taken on an “alarming tenor.”
“The intensity of feelings, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to include many voices outside of USC and has escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement,” Guzman wrote.
Valedictorian Asna Tabassum, who is graduating with a major in biomedical engineering and a minor in resistance to genocide, said she was blindsided by the decision, in a statement provided Tuesday by the Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. She said university officials on Monday told her that the school had the resources to take appropriate safety measures but they were concerned about their image.
Related articles
7 Minnesotans accused in massive scheme to defraud pandemic food program to stand trial
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Opening statements are expected Monday in the fraud trial of seven people charged2024-04-30Woman's rare disease causes 20
A woman with a rare genetic disease that affects 0.03 percent of people in the world has developed a2024-04-30The 7 bridges in the US that are at risk of a Baltimore
There are at least seven bridges in the US with similar size and reach of Baltimore's now-collapsed2024-04-30New Yorker gives hilarious reaction to being underwhelmed by solar eclipse
One New York City man's negative review of Monday's solar eclipse has gone viral, as he claimed it w2024-04-30Michael Sheen looks unrecognisable as Prince Andrew in first look at Amazon's A Very Royal Scandal
Amazon is set to retell the story of Prince Andrew's 'car crash' interview in a new series starring2024-04-30Meet The Richardsons fans fear show will be cancelled after Jon Richardson and Lucy Beaumont's nine
Meet The Richardsons fans fear the mockumentary may end after comedian Jon Richardson and Lucy Beaum2024-04-30
atest comment