USC Halts Valedictorian's Speech Supporting Palestinians Due to Security Fears

The University of Southern California (USC) has cancelled a commencement speech by its 2024 valedictorian, Asna Tabassum, who has publicly supported Palestinians. Andrew T. Guzman, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs at USC, cited security concerns for the decision. He said that the debate over Tabassum's selection had taken on an "alarming tenor" and that her speech would have presented "substantial" security risks for the event, which draws 65,000 people to campus.The Israel-Hamas war has presented a challenge for colleges under pressure to preserve free speech and open debate. Zach Greenberg, a first amendment attorney with the national Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), said universities should resist cancelling events that could be perceived as censorship. However, if they do cancel events, schools must be transparent and specify security concerns.Tabassum, who is graduating with a major in biomedical engineering and a minor in resistance to genocide, said she was blindsided by the decision. She added that she was not aware of any specific threats against her or the university. In response to the cancellation, the Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned USC's decision, while pro-Israel groups praised it.University campuses have been a hotbed of protest activity surrounding the Israel-Hamas war. The conflict began following Hamas' deadly Oct. 7 attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people. Israel's responding assault on Gaza has killed as many as 33,800 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry.