The announcement comes as other elite universities' responses to discrimination are questioned.
"Tradition must give way to safety," Andrew Guzman, USC provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, said in a"This decision is not only necessary to maintain the safety of our campus and students, but is consistent with the fundamental legal obligation – including the expectations of federal regulators – that universities act to protect students and keep our campus community safe.
"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," she wrote in a, who minored in resistance to genocide, said she learned "that ordinary people are capable of unspeakable acts of violence when they are taught hate fueled by fear.
"And due to widespread fear, I was hoping to use my commencement speech to inspire my classmates with a message of hope. By canceling my speech, USC is only caving to fear and rewarding hatred."Tabassum was denied requests for the details underlying the university's threat assessment, she said."There remain serious doubts about whether USC's decision to revoke my invitation to speak is made solely on the basis of safety," she said.
Columbia University's president will testify on Wednesday before Congress to discuss the school's response to campus antisemitism.
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