Current:Home > MyUSC cancels graduation keynote by filmmaker amid controversy over decision to drop student’s speech -Edge Finance Strategies
USC cancels graduation keynote by filmmaker amid controversy over decision to drop student’s speech
View
Date:2025-04-12 11:33:44
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The University of Southern California further shook up its commencement plans Friday, announcing the cancelation of a keynote speech by filmmaker Jon M. Chu just days after making the controversial choice to disallow the student valedictorian from speaking.
The private university in Los Angeles on Monday said it was canceling valedictorian Asna Tabassum’s speech at the May 10 ceremony because of safety concerns. Tabassum, who is Muslim, has expressed support for Palestinians in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, and university officials said the response to her selection as valedictorian had “taken on an alarming tenor.” They did not cite any specific threats.
The university’s decision was met with praise from pro-Israel organizations but condemnation from free speech groups and the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Students and faculty marched across campus Thursday in silent protest of the university’s decision.
Now, university officials say they are “redesigning” the entire commencement program.
“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 said in an unsigned statement posted Friday. “We’ve been talking to this exceptional group and hope to confer these honorary degrees at a future commencement or other academic ceremonies.”
Chu was slated to deliver the keynote address at the May 10 ceremony. He is a 2003 graduate of the university who has since directed films like “Crazy Rich Asians” and “Wicked,” an adaptation for the Broadway musical set for release last this year.
More than 65,000 people are expected to gather on campus for commencement, including 19,000 graduates.
“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,” Tabassum said in a statement earlier this week.
veryGood! (56277)
Related
- 'We're reborn!' Gazans express joy at returning home to north
- American Airlines hits rough air after strategic missteps
- Meet The Marías: The bilingual band thriving after romantic breakup, singing with Bad Bunny
- BM of KARD talks solo music, Asian representation: 'You need to feel liberated'
- In ‘Nickel Boys,’ striving for a new way to see
- Nearly 3 out of 10 children in Afghanistan face crisis or emergency level of hunger in 2024
- Brazil’s president withdraws his country’s ambassador to Israel after criticizing the war in Gaza
- Barcelona hires Hansi Flick as coach on a 2-year contract after Xavi’s exit
- Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
- Nigeria’s new anthem, written by a Briton, sparks criticism after a contentious law is passed
Ranking
- Stamford Road collision sends motorcyclist flying; driver arrested
- AP interview: Divisions among the world’s powerful nations are undermining UN efforts to end crises
- Executions worldwide jumped last year to the highest number since 2015, Amnesty report says
- Top McDonald's exec says $18 Big Mac meal is exception, not the rule
- 'As foretold in the prophecy': Elon Musk and internet react as Tesla stock hits $420 all
- Feds take down one of world's largest malicious botnets and arrest its administrator
- IRS makes free tax return program permanent and is asking all states to join in 2025
- Qatar’s offer to build 3 power plants to ease Lebanon’s electricity crisis is blocked
Recommendation
Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Flowery Language
Biden to make his first state visit to France after attending D-Day 80th commemorations next week
Kate Middleton Will Miss Trooping the Colour Event 2024 Amid Cancer Treatment
What to watch: O Jolie night
US economic growth last quarter is revised down from 1.6% rate to 1.3%, but consumers kept spending
French prosecutor in New Caledonia says authorities are investigating suspects behind deadly unrest
A flurry of rockets will launch from Florida's Space Coast this year. How to watch Friday