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USC Calls Off Prominent Guest Speeches at Graduation Amid Fallout over Censoring Valedictorian

HeadlineApr 22, 2024

Officials at USC, the University of Southern California, have canceled all outside speakers at this year’s graduation ceremonies, including Jon Chu, the director of “Crazy Rich Asians,” and tennis legend Billie Jean King. The decision comes days after the school sparked outrage by canceling a speech by valedictorian Asna Tabassum over what the school claimed were “safety” reasons. Tabassum is a first-generation South Asian American Muslim who had expressed support for Palestinians.

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