The University of Southern California said Thursday it will cancel its main commencement ceremony after it faced backlash over an earlier decision not to allow valedictorian Asna Tabassum to deliver a speech at the ceremony, drawing the ire of pro-Palestinian activists.

“We understand that this is disappointing; however, we are adding many new activities and celebrations to make this commencement academically meaningful, memorable, and uniquely USC, including places to gather with family, friends, faculty, and staff, the celebratory releasing of the doves, and performances by the Trojan Marching Band,” the university said in a statement announcing the decision to cancel the university-wide May 10 graduation, which was expected to draw some 65,000 people.

However, 23 satellite graduation ceremonies at USC’s schools and colleges will proceed as planned. The university said it will require tickets for “all commencement events taking place on May 8-11” and direct “all campus access through specific points of entry.”

The announcement comes after USC officials canceled Tabassum’s speech due to unspecified security threats. 

USC, like other universities around the country, has faced on-campus protests by pro-Palestinian students over the Israel-Hamas War. Student protesters formed an encampment at USC to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and divestment from weapons manufacturers with ties to Israel. The protest led to dozens of arrests.