Students protest against USC's decision to ban valedictorian's commencement speech
by CBS News
CBS News— Students rallied next to USC's Tommy Trojan on Thursday to protest the university's decision to ban this year's valedictorian from delivering her commencement speech."One of the most gifted girls I have ever met," student Kaiser Kuresi said. "This university is trying to silence her."Earlier this week, USC decided to bar the biomedical engineering major Asna Tabassum, who is Muslim, from speaking because of security concerns. In letter sent to college administrators, critics accused her of...
WFIN Local News—USC protests break out after anti-Israel valedictorian’s commencement speech cancelled over safety concerns. Hundreds of protesters gathered at the University of Southern California on Sunday in support of Class of 2024 valedictorian Asna Tabassum after her commencement speech was canceled, along with other outside commencement speakers. The post USC protests break out after anti-Israel valedictorian’s commencement speech cancelled over safety concerns first appeared on WFIN Local News.
Vox—USC canceled Asna Tabassum’s valedictorian commencement speech. Here’s why:. Campus tensions over Israel’s war on Gaza have flared up again, this time at the University of Southern California, which this week barred its valedictorian from speaking at next month’s commencement ceremony. The school cited potential campus safety risks if Asna Tabassum delivered a speech. Provost Andrew T. Guzman said in an email to students and staff on Monday that public discussion had “taken on an alarming tenor” after the school announced its choice for valedictorian. “The intensity of...
Los Angeles Times—USC students protest the 'silencing' of valedictorian with cancellation of speech. USC students, faculty and pro-Palestinian protesters responded to a call to action Thursday to fight back against what they say is the "institutional silencing" of valedictorian Asna Tabassum. "Let her speak! Let her speak!" the crowd of hundreds chanted, a few holding up signs bearing Tabassum's face. USC is barring the valedictorian from speaking at its May 10 commencement — a first in the university's 143-year history — over unspecified safety threats, Provost Andrew T. Guzman announced in a...