Los Angeles – In a stunning turn of events, the University of Southern California announced the cancellation of filmmaker Jon M. Chu as the keynote speaker for their commencement ceremony. This decision comes shortly after the controversy surrounding the university’s call to disallow student valedictorian Asna Tabassum from delivering a speech at the event.
The university’s initial choice to cancel Tabassum’s speech, citing safety concerns due to her public support for Palestinians, sparked mixed reactions. While pro-Israel groups applauded the decision, free speech advocates and the Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned it. Subsequently, a silent protest led by students and faculty was held on campus in response to the university’s actions.
Following the backlash, USC officials have announced a complete redesign of the commencement program, leading to the release of outside speakers and honorees from attending the ceremony. The university expressed hopes to confer honorary degrees at future events. More than 65,000 attendees, including 19,000 graduates, are expected to gather for the ceremony.
As tensions rise amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict, universities across the country face challenges in upholding free speech and open debate. The cancellation of Tabassum’s speech is just one example of the complex issues surrounding academic freedom and diversity of perspectives on college campuses.
Meanwhile, at Columbia University in New York, a pro-Palestinian protest encampment was disbanded by the NYPD, resulting in the arrest of over 100 demonstrators. Many were charged with trespassing at the Ivy League institution, with some students facing suspensions from Columbia and Barnard College for their involvement in the protest.
New York Mayor Eric Adams defended the action, stating that while students have the right to free speech, they must not violate university policies or disrupt campus activities. The incident at Columbia University highlights the ongoing debates over the boundaries of free expression and activism within educational settings.