USC bans its valedictorian from commencement speech over anti-Semitic remarks and ‘security concerns’ – as engineering students criticize college for ‘abandoning’ her

USC’s valedictorian has been banned from giving a speech at the university’s commencement ceremony after she allegedly made anti-Semitic social media posts calling for the ‘total abolition’ of Israel.

Asna Tabassum of Chino Hill, California, who is Muslim, had been selected as this year’s valedictorian, but questions arose about her suitability after she publicly raised questions about the current Israel-Gaza conflict and included links promoting anti-Semitism.

In an unprecedented move, the college removed Tabassum from its undergraduate lineup, saying “tradition must give way to safety” — but in doing so, USC has failed to address her comments directly.

Tabassum, who is studying biomedical engineering with a minor in genocide resistance, would have addressed 65,000 people at the ceremony. USC officials selected her from among nearly 100 students who had GPAs of 3.98 or higher.

In letters sent to USC administrators, critics accused her of posting a link to a website on a social media site that “swings a bat at over 10% of USC’s student body and mudslings by calling Zionists ‘racist settlers.’

Tabassum has shared pro-Palestinian views and ‘likes’ expressed via her Instagram account, which she has since made private and removed her posts.

Tabassum’s current Instagram bio links to a landing page that says ‘learn about what’s happening in Palestine and how to help.’

‘Ms. Tabassum unabashedly and openly supports the link’s calls for the ‘total abolition of the state of Israel (sic),’ according to a letter circulated to critics to submit to administrators.

‘As if the unqualified command to abolish the state of Israel were in any way unclear, Tabassum’s connection reinforces racism with another dimension, urging readers to ‘reject hegemonic efforts to demand that Palestinians accept Israel’s right to exist as a.. . Jewish state.’

But the university has so far sidestepped any mention of Tabassum’s alleged views, instead describing the rationale for no longer allowing her to speak as being due to “security concerns,” the school’s provost announced.

“While this is disappointing, tradition must give way to safety,” Provost Andrew Guzman wrote in a letter 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 communities safe.

‘It uses the same values ​​and criteria that we have used in the past to guide our actions. It in no way diminishes the remarkable academic achievements of any student considered or selected to be read.

‘To be clear: this decision has nothing to do with freedom of expression. There is no free speech right to speak at a commencement. The question here is how best to maintain campus safety and security, period.’

Following the letter, the Council on American-Islamic Relations-Los Angeles has now demanded that Tabassum be allowed to speak at the event, while Tabassum herself suggested that she was silenced and that her university had ‘abandoned her’.

“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,” Tabassum began in a statement.

‘This campaign to prevent me from addressing my peers at commencement has apparently achieved its goal: Today, USC administrators informed me that the university will no longer allow me to speak at commencement due to suspected security concerns.

“I am both shocked by this decision and deeply disappointed that the university is succumbing to a campaign of hate to silence my voice,” she continued.

‘I am not surprised by those who try to spread hatred. I am surprised that my own university – my home for four years – has abandoned me.’

CAIR-LA called the USC decision ‘cowardly’ and its reasoning ‘disingenuous’.

“Asna is an incredibly accomplished student whose academic and extracurricular activities made her the ideal and historic recipient of this year’s valedictorian honor,” Ayloush said in a announcement.

‘The university can, should and must ensure a safe environment for exams instead of taking the unprecedented step of canceling a predictorian’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 university students across the country who speak up for human rights – and for Palestinian humanity.’

Provost Guzman, in a message to the campus, also said the uproar over the choice of valedictorian had taken on ‘an alarming tenor.’

The university said so LA Times how threats had been made over email, letters and through phone calls to the campus.

“The intensity of emotion, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to include many voices outside of USC and has escalated to the point of creating significant security risks and disruptions at the beginning, Guzman wrote. .

“We cannot ignore that similar risks have led to harassment and even violence on other campuses. As always, and especially when tensions are so high around the world, we must prioritize the safety of our communities,” he said.

‘And as we do every year, we have monitored our take-off security needs based on all the information we have and the facts on the ground. We are resolute in our commitment to maintain and prioritize the existing safety and well-being of our USC community over the coming weeks, allowing those attending commencement to focus on the celebration our graduates deserve.’