USC Faces Backlash for Banning Pro-Palestinian Valedictorian's Speech Due to Safety Concerns

USC has banned a pro-Palestinian valedictorian from speaking at the May commencement ceremony due to safety concerns, marking the first time the university has taken such action. The decision has sparked controversy, with critics questioning the university's reasoning and calling for the reversal of the ban. The valedictorian, Asna Tabassum, has been at the center of a debate involving her views on the Middle East conflict, leading to accusations of antisemitism and a campaign to prevent her from speaking. The university's provost cited the escalating tensions and risks at other campuses as factors in the decision, while students express mixed reactions to the controversy.