Los Angeles Times Festival of Books returns to USC amid commencement speech controversy

Will Conybeare
·3 min read
1

The largest book festival in the United States is back at the University of Southern California campus during a time of controversy over commencement speakers at this year’s graduation ceremony.

The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books begins on Saturday morning and are set to include over 200 events, including conversations and performances, book signings, cooking demonstrations, poetry readings and more.

Bilingual programming will also be offered, according to the festival’s website.

How much does the ‘American dream’ cost in California?

Events will be held outdoors and indoors, and while all outdoor events and activities are free, tickets must be purchased for certain indoor events.

Among the hundreds of tents at the Festival of Books will be the KTLA tent, where viewers are encouraged to stop by and say hello to their favorite on-air talent.

The following KTLA family members will be at the festival at the following times:

Saturday, April 20

  • 10 a.m. – Chip Yost and Kareen Wynter

  • 11 a.m. – Samantha Cortese and Omar Lewis

  • 12 p.m. – David Lazarus

  • 1 p.m. – Carlos Herrera

  • 2 p.m. – Mary Beth McDade

  • 5 p.m. – Sandra Mitchell

Sunday, April 21

  • 12 p.m. – Annie Rose Ramos and Carlos Saucedo

  • 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. – Lauren Lyster, Kacey Montoya, Megan Telles, Kirk Hawkins, Andy Riesmeyer

  • 3 p.m. – Wendy Burch

More information on the L.A. Times Festival of Books, including how to buy tickets, can be found here.

The Imagination Movers perform onstage at the 18th Annual L.A. Times Festival Of Books at USC on April 21, 2013. (Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for LA Times)
The Imagination Movers perform onstage at the 18th Annual L.A. Times Festival Of Books at USC on April 21, 2013. (Imeh Akpanudosen/Getty Images for LA Times)

The book festival comes during a tense period for the university, which recently cancelled all commencement speeches for the Class of 2024 graduation ceremony. Tennis legend Billie Jean King was among those scheduled to speak in addition to filmmaker Jon. M Chu, who was to be the commencement ceremony’s keynote speaker.

USC had initially only canceled class valedictorian Asna Tabassum’s speech due to safety concerns after pro-Israel groups accused her of being antisemitic.

In a statement to KTLA, USC administration cited the “highly publicized circumstances” regarding the speeches as the main reason to “release” the outside speakers and honorees from the ceremony.

College applications rose in states that legalized recreational marijuana

Several current and former Trojans expressed dismay at the school’s decision to not have any speakers.

“Now, students are going to shy away from expressing what they believe,” said Ibrahim Ahmed, a USC graduate. “It doesn’t have to be right, but they should have the right to express that.”

“I’m just upset, I’m overwhelmed and there’s a lot going on,” added current student Marisa Vasquez, who is set to graduate on May 10. “I want to see what we can do as students to advocate for [Asna Tabassum] because this is taking away a lot of rights…I also feel like I’m in a position where [I’m asking myself] if I’m proud to be a future Trojan.”

Several groups are expected to use the Festival of Books as a stage to voice their discontent towards the revocation of the speeches.

One of those groups, CODEPINK L.A., has arranged a protest for Sunday at 11 a.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.