Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The University of Southern California further modified its commencement plans Friday, announcing the cancellation of a keynote address by filmmaker Jon M. Chu, just days after it made the controversial decision to ban the valedictorian from speaking.
The private university in Los Angeles said Monday that it had canceled valedictorian Asna Tabassum's speech on the May 10 ceremony for security reasons. Tabassum, a Muslim, has voiced her support for Palestinians in the continuing Israel-Hamas war, and university officials said the response to her election as valedictorian has “taken on an alarming tone.” They didn’t mention any specific threats.
The university's decision was praised by pro-Israel organizations but condemned by free speech groups and the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Students and college marched across campus Thursday in silent protest against the university's decision.
Now university officials say they’re “redesigning” the complete freshman program.
“Given the highly publicized circumstances surrounding our main stage commencement program, university leadership has determined that it is best to excuse our external speakers and honorees from participating in this year’s ceremony,” it said in an announcement Friday published, unsigned statement from the university. “We have spoken with this exceptional group and hope to award these honorary degrees at a future commencement or other academic ceremony.”
Chu was scheduled to present the keynote address on the May 10 ceremony. He graduated from the university in 2003 and has since directed movies corresponding to “Crazy Rich Asians” and “Wicked,” an adaptation of the Broadway musical scheduled to hit theaters last yr.
More than 65,000 individuals are expected on campus at first, including 19,000 graduates.
“Although this should be 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,” Tabassum said in an announcement earlier this week.
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