TeamDML offers insights, opinions, podcasts, videos and other forms of content intended to educate and better explain trending news that is made available to the public by third parties. In this particular case, we refer to an excerpt from ABC7.COM:
LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Citing safety concerns, USC announced Monday that a pro-Palestinian undergraduate student who was selected as valedictorian will not be allowed to give a speech at the May commencement ceremony, the first time the university has banned the valedictorian from speaking.
“While this is disappointing, tradition must give way to safety,” Provost Andrew Guzman wrote in a message to the university community. “This decision is not only necessary to maintain the safety of our campus and students, but is consistent with the fundamental legal obligation — including the expectations of federal regulators — that universities act to protect students and keep our campus community safe.
“It applies the same values and criteria that we have used in the past to guide our actions. In no way does it diminish the remarkable academic achievements of any student considered or selected for valedictorian. To be clear: this decision has nothing to do with freedom of speech. There is no free-speech entitlement to speak at a commencement. The issue here is how best to maintain campus security and safety, period.”
The report describes valedictorian Asna Tabassum as graduating with a major in biomedical engineering and a minor in “resistance to genocide.”
Tabassum, a Muslim, was reportedly chosen to be this year’s valedictorian out of over 100 qualifying students who had applied for the honor.
Questions are now being raised about social media posts Tabassum has made relating to the conflict in the Middle East, and a pro-Israel group recently accused her of being antisemitic.
Reportedly, the university knew of Tabassum’s views and her pro-Palestine activism efforts when they selected her as valedictorian, but then they suddenly made the decision to not allow her to give the traditional valedictorian speech, which has prompted major backlash.
USC has canceled a student valedictorian’s commencement speech out of safety concerns concerning her pro-Palestinian views. @USC said the decision was based on potential threats regarding the selection of the valedictorian, Asna Tabassum. https://t.co/PrhF14u8gX pic.twitter.com/Nz3Jy9wQ4j
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) April 17, 2024
CAIR released a statement condemning the university for refusing to let Tabassum speak:
“USC cannot hide its cowardly decision behind a disingenuous concern for ‘security.’ Asna is an incredibly accomplished student whose academic and extracurricular accomplishments made her the ideal and historic recipient of this year’s valedictorian’s honor. The university can, should and must ensure a safe environment for graduation rather than taking the unprecedented step of cancelling a valedictorian’s speech.
“The dishonest and defamatory attacks on Asna are nothing more than thinly-veiled manifestations of Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism, which have been weaponized against college students across the country who speak up for human rights – and for Palestinian humanity.
In a social media post, CAIR wrote, “Sign our LA chapter’s action alert calling on @USC reinstate the graduation speech of Class of 2024 valedictorian Asna Tabassum, which the school cancelled in response to dishonest attacks and harassment from anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian bigots.”
Sign our LA chapter’s action alert calling on @USC reinstate the graduation speech of Class of 2024 valedictorian Asna Tabassum, which the school cancelled in response to dishonest attacks and harassment from anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian bigots: https://t.co/AxJtCiIvbK pic.twitter.com/VTxOBkxYWQ
— CAIR National (@CAIRNational) April 16, 2024
NBC News weighed in on the case:
Watch: @NBCNightlyNews interviews CAIR-LA Director @HussamA about cancelation of Muslim @USC valedictorian’s speech. #Gaza #Israel #CeasefireNOW pic.twitter.com/bzgceWWQHD
— CAIR National (@CAIRNational) April 16, 2024
CBS News interviewed Tabassum. Watch below:
The University of Southern California is facing backlash after canceling a graduation speech by this year’s pro-Palestinian valedictorian, citing security concerns. Asna Tabassum told CBS News’ @carterevans she feels betrayed by the university. pic.twitter.com/G1go9NtZH2
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) April 16, 2024
Below is another video report by ABC7 News:
We call on @USC to immediately restore valedictorian Asna Tabassum’s speech and treat all students fairly and justly, starting with Asna. We look forward to USC’S swift response. pic.twitter.com/TfVB02cL5M
— CAIR National (@CAIRNational) April 16, 2024
Great statement from Asna Tabassum, the student whose words and presence USC found to be ‘a threat to safety’ pic.twitter.com/tzwKEWQvpK
— Sana Saeed (@SanaSaeed) April 16, 2024
Columnist David Marcus argued, “Conservatives must oppose this for 2 reasons. 1 basic free speech, 2 USC is absurdly arguing that supporters of Israel are a violent threat. It’s nonsense.”
Conservatives must oppose this for 2 reasons. 1 basic free speech, 2 USC is absurdly arguing that supporters of Israel are a violent threat. It’s nonsense.
USC bans pro-Palestinian valedictorian from speaking at May commencement, citing safety concerns. https://t.co/ISyVaJHWf1
— David Marcus (@BlueBoxDave) April 16, 2024
Citing safety concerns, USC says that valedictorian Asna Tabassum will not deliver a speech at this year’s commencement. The move comes amid accusations by a pro-Israel group that she is antisemitic. Should she be allowed to speak? Tonight at 11 from ABC7 https://t.co/deWB5bdTO6 pic.twitter.com/nd2IqY34EK
— ABC7 Eyewitness News (@ABC7) April 16, 2024
To get more information about this article, please visit ABC7.COM. To weigh in, leave a comment below.
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