The University of Southern California has announced the cancelation of its primary commencement ceremony, scheduled for May 10th, in the wake of escalating anti-war protests and subsequent arrests on campus. The decision underscores the intensifying conflict between student activism and institutional order at universities across the nation.
The tension reached a tipping point when the Los Angeles Police Department reported that 93 individuals were arrested for alleged trespassing during a demonstration, with one arrest made for assault with a deadly weapon. This event catalyzed the decision to forgo the main graduation event which traditionally hosts thousands of attendees.
USC officials conveyed the cancelation with a recognition of its disappointing nature, but with a promise to add “many new activities and celebrations to make this commencement academically meaningful, memorable, and uniquely USC.” These include various commencement events for individual schools, gatherings, the release of doves, and performances by the marching band. Despite the modifications, the sentiment of disappointment and frustration remains palpable among the student body.
This unrest stems in part from earlier university decisions that heightened the atmosphere of contention, such as the cancelation of a commencement speech by the university’s pro-Palestinian valedictorian, Asna Tabassum.
The student-led protests, which have expanded to several other campuses, are pushing for universities to sever financial ties with Israel and divest from companies seen as enabling the conflict. Emerson College, the University of Texas at Austin, and Emory University are among those where confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement have led to numerous arrests.
The protests, sparked by events at Columbia University in New York, have led to institutions such as Northwestern University hastily amending their student code of conduct to ban encampments and George Washington University relocating its law school finals due to noise from adjacent protests.
U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona emphasized the importance of embracing student voices and diverse perspectives as a key aspect of the country’s progress, while also cautioning against hate, discrimination, and violence.“We continue to follow reports about protests — including very alarming reports of antisemitism — on and around college campuses across the country,” he said in a statement.
Civil unrest on college campuses has disrupted student life milestones and raised questions about balancing free expression and campus safety. Amid the Israel-Hamas war, the U.S. Education Department has initiated civil rights investigations at numerous universities and schools due to complaints of antisemitism or Islamophobia. Harvard and Columbia are among the colleges facing protests under investigation.
Relevant articles:
– USC cancels graduation ceremony and dozens are arrested on other campuses as anti-war protests grow, The Associated Press, 04/26/2024
– As USC cancels commencement, Columbia students worry theirs could be disrupted, NBC News, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMT
– USC cancels main commencement ceremony as campus is roiled by protests, The Washington Post, Thu, 25 Apr 2024 23:39:00 GMT
– USC cancels graduation ceremony, dozens arrested across US as college anti-war protests grow, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Fri, 26 Apr 2024 01:43:00 GMT
American g’lut Jewry has thrown down the Civil War gloves of vile defiance. They behave like embittered Esau after Yaacov/Israel stole it’s blessing. Sucks living in cursed g’lut where assimilation and intermarriage defines Jewish avoda zarah worship to other Gods.