USC sparks backlash for canceling main stage commencement ceremony: 'Caving to campus terrorists'

Officers from the University of Southern California's Department of Public Safety broke up anti-Israel agitators on the school's campus on Wednesday, causing chaos among students.

The University of Southern California (USC) announced Thursday that it was canceling its main stage commencement ceremony for 2024 graduates as anti-Israel protests have shut down its campus. 

"With the new safety measures in place this year, the time needed to process the large number of guests coming to campus will increase substantially. As a result, we will not be able to host the main stage ceremony that traditionally brings 65,000 students, families, and friends to our campus all at the same time and during a short window from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.," USC stated on its website.

The university noted that individual school commencement ceremonies, doctoral hooding ceremonies and other celebrations and activities will still be held between May 8-11, though it warned students and their families to "allow more time" to get to their commencements due to heightened security measures. 

Among the outlined safety measures include showing tickets in order to be granted access to the USC campus as well as attendees and their bags being screened, with "a clear bag policy."

USC CLOSES CAMPUS ‘UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE’ FOLLOWING ANTI-ISRAEL PROTEST, 93 ARRESTED FOR TRESPASSING

USC announced it is scrapping its main stage commencement ceremony after shutting down its campus over anti-Israel protests. (Sarah Reingewirtz/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images)

Critics bashed the move on social media. 

Fox News national correspondent Bill Melugin reported, "USC announces it is cancelling its main stage commencement ceremony. Comments shut off.