The University of Southern California on Thursday scrapped its “main stage” graduation ceremony as the campus has been overrun with anti-Israel protests that have led to the arrests of nearly 100 students.
The university blamed new safety measures put in place this year for the cancellation of the 65,000-person ceremony at Alumni Park on May 10.
In a message to the school community, USC said that because of new measures it would take too long to process the large number of guests.
“We understand that this is disappointing; however, we are adding many new activities and celebrations to make this commencement academically meaningful, memorable, and uniquely USC, including places to gather with family, friends, faculty, and staff, the celebratory releasing of the doves, and performances by the Trojan Marching Band,” school leaders said in the announcement.
The elite California school has been embroiled in pomp-and-circumstance controversy since it called off a speech by valedictorian Asna Tabassum earlier this month, pointing to “security” concerns after she was accused of promoting “anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist rhetoric” over social media.
Critics pointed to “likes” on her Instagram account, as well as a link in her bio that takes people to a website that says “learn about what’s happening in Palestine, and how to help.”
Comments on the anti-Israel website included, “Zionism is a racist settler-colonialist ideology,” and, “One Palestinian state would mean Palestinian liberation and the complete abolishment of the state of Israel” so that “both Arabs and Jews can live together,” the Los Angeles Times reported.
Tabassum, who minored in resistance to genocide, has stood by her social media activity.
“Absolutely not. I stand by exactly what I stand by,” Tabassum told KABC. “It is the very values and the very lessons USC taught me that I stand by.”
“I don’t believe it’s ironic for me to minor in something called resistance to genocide, and then speak out on it and then be revoked because I’m penalized for something that people have an issue with,” Tabassum added.
USC has faced demonstrations on campus in response to Tabassum no longer being able to speak as well as part other rallies opposing Israel’s war in Gaza following Hamas’ attack on the Jewish state on Oct. 7.
Police arrested nearly 100 student protesters at USC on Wednesday during a tense protest with most of those taken into custody charged with trespassing, the LAPD said.
One person at USC was charged with assault with a deadly weapon, police said.
USC is one of a growing number of colleges dealing with ongoing protests and encampments on school grounds since Columbia University students started a tent city last week.
While the “main stage” ceremony won’t happen, the school will still host all of its traditional individual school commencements where students walk across the stage and receive their diploma, USC said.