Published 11 months ago • loading... • Updated 11 months ago

USC bans pro-Palestinian valedictorian from speaking at May commencement, citing safety concerns

Asna Tabassum, USC's valedictorian, was denied the chance to give a commencement speech due to security concerns, disappointing her.
USC Provost Andrew Guzman mentioned that discussions surrounding the valedictorian selection had escalated dangerously, leading to security risks at commencement.
Despite maintaining her valedictorian status, USC's decision to cancel Tabassum's speech was criticized for empowering hate and censorship, according to the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

Insights by Ground AI

Does this summary seem wrong?

107 Articles

All

Left

Center

Right

Vox

Why USC canceled its pro-Palestinian valedictorian

Asna Tabassum, a graduating senior at the University of Southern California majoring in biomedical engineering, is at the center of the latest firestorm on college campuses after the university named her valedictorian, then barred her from speaking at graduation. | Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images As the school year winds down, colleges are still grappling with student speech. Campus tensions over Israel’s war on Gaza have flar…

11 months ago·United States

Read Full Article

Straight Arrow News

Free speech fight after USC cancels valedictorian's speech

The University of Southern California (USC) is continuing to receive backlash for its decision to cancel this year's valedictorian's graduation speech. USC banned Asna Tabassum, a senior majoring in biomedical engineering, from speaking at the school's commencement ceremony in May, as the school cited safety concerns. Some Jewish students called for USC to disinvite Tabassum, a Muslim woman, from speaking at the school's commencement ceremony, c…

11 months ago

Read Full Article

Reason

USC cancels valedictorian's speech over bogus 'safety concerns'

This week, the University of Southern California (USC) announced that the college's valedictorian, Asna Tabassum, would be barred from speaking at commencement. The school cited concerns that Tabassum, who had recently come under fire for an anti-Israel social media post, would create safety concerns. USC announced that Tabassum had been selected as the school's valedictorian on April 4, after choosing her from among over 100 students with a GPA…

11 months ago·United States

Read Full Article

BBC News

USC campus tense after Muslim valedictorian's speech cancelled

The university said it cut the speech over security concerns tied to the Middle East.

11 months ago·United Kingdom

Read Full Article

Democracy Now!

Meet USC Valedictorian Asna Tabassum: School Cancels Commencement Speech by Pro-Palestinian Student

Amid widespread repression of pro-Palestinian voices on campuses across the United States, we speak to University of Southern California valedictorian Asna Tabassum, whose commencement speech has been canceled for what the university claimed were “safety” reasons after Tabassum became the subject of an online anti-Palestinian hate campaign led by pro-Israel groups. “When I had asked for details regarding the security concerns,” says Tabassum of l

11 months ago·New York, United States

Read Full Article

Times of San Diego

+6 Reposted by 6 other sources

USC Cancels Muslim Valedictorian's Speech Over Safety Concerns Amid Middle East Conflict

USC valedictorian Asna Tabassum holds a certificate at the university’s Academic Honors Convocation on April 2. Courtesy of Asna Tabassum/via REUTERS The University of Southern California, citing safety concerns and passions around the latest Middle East conflict, has canceled its valedictorian speech from a Muslim student who said she was being silenced by anti-Palestinian hatred for her views on human rights. USC Provost Andrew Guzman said in …

11 months ago·San Diego County, United States

Read Full Article

Think freely.Subscribe and get full access to Ground NewsSubscriptions start at $9.99/year