USC cancels all commencement speakers amid controversy over valedictorian's speech
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Published 2024-04-19
“Given the highly publicized circumstances surrounding our main-stage commencement program, university leadership has decided it is best to release our outside speakers and honorees from attending this year’s ceremony,” the University of Southern California announced on Friday.
The announcement means the cancellation of keynote speaker — filmmaker Jon M. Chu — who was expected to speak on May 10 at the main-stage ceremony, and other guests including tennis star Billie Jean King.
Friday’s announcement comes on the heels of the university canceling valedictorian Asna Tabassum’s commencement speech over what USC called “substantial” security risks. Around 65,000 people are expected to attend this year’s ceremony.
KTLA's Samantha Cortese reports on April 19, 2024.
Details: ktla.com/news/local-news/usc-cancels-all-commencem…
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All Comments (21)
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Skipped my graduation. Went out for Chinese food with my wife and best friend. Beats sitting around for hours. Just mail it
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The cowardice of this school is next level.
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People don't know how to act in public.
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Shameless, why not just cancel the graduation entirely?
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USC gets a failing grade for bungling this entire situation.
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No university is obliged to organize a graduation ceremony. They can mail the certificates.
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They are shy about showing off the crown jewel student they have made of her, eh? Fascinating.
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University of Scared Censorship
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Why can’t USC just have someone say something positive ? They created these students, now they should enjoy the fruits of the woke revolutionaries they created.
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It's 2024, have ChatGPT do a speech
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USC made two wrongs that don't make a right. Poor decision making by the administrators.
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There's only one question here, if she had been Jewish and posted an article on a one state solution that involved getting rid of Palestine would she have been allowed to speak?
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They're not missing out on anything, those speeches are useless and outdated, saves them time
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They should just get their diploma from the mail...save even more time.
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Maybe next time vet your speakers more thoroughly
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You can say what you want, but you have to deal with the blowback. Her calling for a one-state solution and the abolishment of Israel will anger people, and that anger can then turn to violence.
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Lol in our country we just want to go up and get our diploma and go home to celebrate with loved ones 😂
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Anger and outrage because they gradually moved to this position. Instead they should have brought in A list comedians without any reference to the controversial valedictorian.
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You can speak about anything you want..... except your rulers. 🔯
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It doesn't matter if I agree with what someone is saying or not, Everyone in this country should have the freedom of speech!!!!!!!!
