A popular advocacy organization has condemned the University of Southern California (USC) for canceling the planned 2024 commencement speech by Asna Tabassum after protests by anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian extremists.
In a call on Wednesday with USC Provost Andrew Guzman, Ms. Tabassum, who described herself as “Asian-American Muslim South,” said the school could not maintain an adequate level of security when she spoke because of its size. security threats and harassment by pro-Israel critics. He told the decision “do not respect you and your accomplishments and passion”.
A university official admitted the amount of vitriol was “unprecedented”.
In an official statement, USC said: “After careful consideration, we have decided that our students will not be able to speak in the examination. While this is disappointing, tradition must lead to security… The question here is how to keep the campus safe and secure. “
Beginning on May 10, honoring this year’s graduating class of more than 19,000, it is expected to draw 65,000 people to the Los Angeles campus of one of the most prestigious private universities in California.
The cancellation was criticized by individuals and organizations who said it was done to censor Ms. Tabassuma.
“USC cannot hide its cowardly decisions behind ‘security’ concerns,” said Hussam Aylush, executive director of the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).
For her part, Ms. Tabassum expressed her displeasure with USC’s decision to ban her from addressing the forum.
“At first, this campaign to prevent me from speaking out to my peers has served its purpose: today, USC administrators announced that the university will no longer allow me to speak due to security concerns. We are shocked by this decision and deeply saddened that the university has engaged in a hate campaign designed to silence my voice
“I’m not surprised by people who try to spread hate. I’m surprised that my university, my home for four years, has left me.”
“USC cannot hide its cowardly decision behind a concern for ‘security,'” Aylush, executive director of CAIR in Los Angeles, said in a statement. Asna is an outstanding student whose academic and extracurricular achievements make her an ideal and historic recipient of this year’s valedictorian honor. Universities can and should provide a safe environment for graduation without taking the unprecedented step of canceling the valedictorian’s speech.
“Dishonest and slanderous attacks against Asna, in addition to blatant forms of Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism, have been forced against Palestinian students and humanity in a country that defends human rights.
“The University of Southern California should be with Asna Tabassum. When USC retained Asna’s position as valedictorian, the cowardly decision to cancel her speech led to calls for hate and censorship, violated USC’s duty to protect students, and sent a terrible signal to Muslim students at USC and to all students who have the courage to show support for the Palestinians.
“We call on USC to immediately reverse this, restore its performance and treat all students fairly and equitably, starting with Asna. We expect a quick response from USC,” he said.
Last week, CAIR condemned acts of violence on free speech by student activists at a Palestine rally on the Pomona College campus and called on the administration to protect students’ First Amendment rights.
Last year, CAIR condemned recent El Camino College graduate Jana Abulabani for her words and actions against the Israeli government’s policies of apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and other human rights abuses against the Palestinian people.
