The University of Southern California announced on Thursday that it was canceling its main commencement ceremony that attracts tens of thousands of guests after far-Left extremists were violent on campus this week during anti-Semitic protests.
The school canceled the student valedictorian’s planned commencement speech last week after the Muslim student, Asna Tabassum, was accused by multiple organizations of openly trafficking in anti-Semitism on social media where a link she promoted featured propaganda that called for the “complete abolishment” of Israel, among other things.
Breaking – USC valedictorian Asna Tabassum will NOT be allowed to speak during commencement after outrage ensued following her authoring an antisemitic social media post on her Instagram account.
h/t @JWheelertv pic.twitter.com/VhilgFpFYp
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) April 15, 2024
“Over the past several days, discussion relating to the selection of our valedictorian has taken on an alarming tenor,” said Provost Andrew Guzman. “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. We cannot ignore the fact that similar risks have led to harassment and even violence at other campuses.”
Police have arrested scores of students at subsequent anti-Semitic protests at the school this week after the events turned violent.
The school said that it was “implementing additional security measures” to keep commencement activities safe on campus, including directing everyone who is attending to enter limited “specific points of entry” where all people and bags will be screened and a “clear bag policy” will be enforced.
The school’s announcement on the commencement ceremony said that because of the increased security and amount of time needed to screen everyone entering, “we will not be able to host the main stage ceremony that traditionally brings 65,000 students, families, and friends to our campus all at the same time and during a short window from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.”
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“We understand that this is disappointing; however, we are adding many new activities and celebrations to make this commencement academically meaningful, memorable, and uniquely USC, including places to gather with family, friends, faculty, and staff, the celebratory releasing of the doves, and performances by the Trojan Marching Band,” the school added.