Hundreds of protesters gathered at the University of Southern California in support of Class of 2024 valedictorian Asna Tabassum after her commencement speech was canceled.
USC has been in the spotlight since the school decided to nix Tabassum’s valedictorian speech, citing safety concerns.
An Instagram account with the handle @Israelwarroom shared a post on April 9 featuring Tabassum and accusing her of sharing and liking anti-Israel views on her social media profile, which they equate to antisemitism.
Sunday’s planned protest took place during the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, which drew more than 150,000 people to campus for the festivities.
The demonstration was organized by grassroots organization CODEPINK.
“Her voice has been silenced,” CODEPINK co-founder Jodie Evans told KTLA 5’s Jennifer McGraw. “We live in a world that is trying to silence what is happening. A genocide is happening.”
Protesters were expecting world-famous chef Jose Andrés to deliver his speech in support of a ceasefire in Gaza during Sunday’s event. But the restaurateur didn’t appear after seven members of his humanitarian group — World Central Kitchen — were killed in an Israeli drone strike in Gaza.
His convoy had signs on top of their vehicles that were colorful and very obvious. He claims this was an intentional act by Israel. Instead of attending the event, Andrés elected to honor those killed in the drone strike earlier this month.
For those in attendance at the protest, the cancelation of Tabassum’s speech, and the ongoing war in Gaza motivated them to come and speak out.
“I love myself, I love the fact that I’m Jewish, and I love the Jewish people,” said one protestor. “But what is happening is an abomination. And it must be condemned, it must be opposed, and this government must stop funding it.”
The Los Angeles Police Department had several officers stationed at USC, but no arrests were made during the peaceful protest.
Tensions have been high on the campus since it was announced that Tabassum’s commencement speech would not be heard.
“I am not surprised by those who attempt to propagate hatred. I am surprised that my own university—my home for four years—has abandoned me,” Tabassum wrote.
USC says the valedictorian is not being silenced for her political views on the ongoing feud in the Middle East between Israel and Hamas but for the safety of Tabassum and others in attendance.
The university canceled all commencement speakers for this year’s graduation ceremony — which was expected to have an estimated 65,000 people in attendance — amid the controversy surrounding the revocation of the valedictorian’s speech.
“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,” school officials announced on Friday.
Despite USC’s ruling, Evans does not believe that Tabassum would be in danger if she were allowed to deliver her valedictorian speech.
“There is no security threat to Asna speaking,” Evans said. “She’s beloved.”