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University of Southern California (USC)

A Parent’s Revolt

A few years after graduating from USC, I proudly worked on campus in the office of university advancement, external relations and the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. In the first of those jobs, I helped plan large university events such as Homecoming and the main commencement ceremony, among others. For many years, on commencement morning, I was assigned to the president’s office managing the robing of the platform party, which included famous speakers, honorary doctorate recipients and trustees. I planned the beautiful honorary doctorate dinner in Hoose Library, the most lavish and expensive dinner we hosted all year.

Canceling The Valedictorian

The University of Southern California’s (USC) cancellation of its 2024 valedictorian, Asna Tabassum’s, commencement speech on Monday garnered attention from national and international media. Andrew T. Guzman, the provost, announced the university’s decision to cancel the speech on April 15, citing security reasons. Guzman stated: “Unfortunately, over the past several days, discussion relating to the selection of our valedictorian has taken on an alarming tenor. The intensity of feelings, fueled by both social media and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has grown to include many voices outside of USC and has escalated to the point of creating substantial risks relating to security and disruption at commencement. We cannot ignore the fact that similar risks have led to harassment and even violence at other campuses.”

Urgent End Of Year Fundraising Campaign

Online donations are back! Keep independent media alive. 

Due to the attacks on our fiscal sponsor, we were unable to raise funds online for nearly two years.  As the bills pile up, your help is needed now to cover the monthly costs of operating Popular Resistance.

Urgent End Of Year Fundraising Campaign

Online donations are back! 

Keep independent media alive. 

Due to the attacks on our fiscal sponsor, we were unable to raise funds online for nearly two years.  As the bills pile up, your help is needed now to cover the monthly costs of operating Popular Resistance.

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