Alicia Victoria Lozano is a California-based reporter for NBC News focusing on climate change, wildfires and the changing politics of drug laws.
LOS ANGELES — Some students at the University of Southern California said their sense of pride was dashed this week when the school canceled Muslim student Asna Tabassum's valedictorian speech out of security concerns. They said the announcement of Tabassum's selection as valedictorian this month made them feel seen and heard. “It showed me that our people have a voice on campus,” said USC student Abdullah Khlefat, who is Muslim.
“Commencement is supposed to be an inclusive and welcoming space for all students, including Jewish graduates and their families.” Trojans for Israel said in a statement on Instagram that university officials failed to vet Tabassum's social media posts and condemn what it described as antisemitic content. 'We call on the University to speak with more moral clarity and hold our esteemed leaders to the highest standards of University standards,' the statement read in part.
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