USC Class of 2024 valedictorian’s speech canceled amid allegations of antisemitism
The University of Southern California has canceled its Class of 2024 valedictorian’s speech due to safety issues after pro-Israel groups accused her of being antisemitic. Asna Tabassum was scheduled to speak at the commencement but has since been told that USC will not allow her to do so due to safety concerns. Tabassum released a personal statement through The Greater Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. “I am honored to have been selected as USC Class of 2024 Valedictorian. Although this should have been a time of celebration for my family, friends, professors, and classmates, anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian voices have subjected me to a campaign of racist hatred because of my uncompromising belief in human rights for all. “This campaign to prevent me from addressing my peers at commencement has evidently accomplished its goal: today, USC administrators informed me that the university will no longer allow me to speak at commencement due to supposed security concerns. I am both shocked by this decision and profoundly disappointed that the University is succumbing to a campaign of hate meant to silence my voice.