USC Swaps Canceled Ceremony for Drone Shows and Fireworks Amid Protests

Due to the cancellation of its traditional main stage commencement ceremony amidst campus pro-Palestine protests and an attempted encampment that resulted in 93 arrests, the University of Southern California (USC) will hold a graduation celebration at the LA Memorial Coliseum on Thursday evening. The event, titled “Trojan Family Graduate Celebration”, will feature drone shows, fireworks, surprise performances, the Trojan Marching Band, and a special gift for the Class of 2024. Each graduate was eligible to receive up to six tickets for the celebration, which replaces the usual ceremony in Alumni Park. This decision came after the university selected Asna Tabassum, this year’s class valedictorian, who has pro-Palestine views, that led to criticism from some who claimed her social media posts were antisemitic. The university responded by barring Tabassum from delivering a speech at the main stage ceremony, claiming it was due to safety concerns. However, this action sparked further controversy, with groups such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations accusing the university of silencing a pro-Palestinian viewpoint. Following this, the university cancelled all “outside speakers” at the ceremony and cancelled plans to present honorary degrees to filmmaker Jon M. Chu, National Endowment for the Arts Chair Maria Rosario Jackson, tennis legend Billie Jean King, and National Academy of Sciences President Marcia McNutt. The university stated that these honors will be conferred at a future commencement or academic ceremony. Days later, 93 individuals were detained during a day-long protest and attempted occupation of Alumni Park, demanding that the university divests from Israeli-linked organizations, cancels Israel-related study abroad programs, and issues a permanent ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. The university subsequently cancelled the main stage commencement ceremony entirely, stating that additional activities and celebrations will make this commencement academically meaningful, memorable, and uniquely USC. Additional events are scheduled throughout the weekend, and all graduating students and their guests must present digital tickets to attend any of the ceremonies or events. The Thursday night celebration will be limited to six tickets per graduate due to the venue’s capacity constraints. The remaining individual school commencement ceremonies will occur on Friday.