Ocasio-Cortez Fundraises Amid Portland Protests
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is leveraging the ongoing tensions between left-wing protesters and ICE in Portland with a fundraising effort that takes aim at President Trump, suggesting that his military deployment is rooted in dubious “propaganda” and outdated footage.
In a recent email to her supporters dated October 6, she stated that much of the administration’s push to deploy National Guard and federal troops to cities like Chicago and Portland is “based on and producing propaganda.”
She added, “Some of it is just misinformation, and people don’t realize it’s not true, amplifying it without knowing,” reflecting a cautious view on the dissemination of certain narratives.
This message was quickly followed by a plea for contributions, ranging from $5 to $1,000, with the Democratic Socialists concluding their note with “In solidarity.”
President Trump has referred to Portland as “war-torn,” claiming he has observed significant “destruction” in the area.
Residents near the protest hot spots have painted a grim picture of their living conditions, with reports of some women needing to don gas masks indoors.
Brenna Hammer, a nearby resident, described her neighborhood as resembling “a war zone.” She shared images of violence occurring close to her home, which has been a site of confrontations between protesters and law enforcement for several weeks.
Cindy Colgrove, 63, voiced her frustration too, labeling it “115 days of hell” and mentioning that she feels safe only venturing outside during daylight hours.
Portland police have arrested several individuals in the vicinity of ICE facilities, with charges spanning from disorderly conduct to assault—totaling 45 arrests since June. The FBI reported that 129 individuals have faced federal charges since June 8, initiated by the arrest of someone suspected of assaulting an officer.
Incidents have included a July 4 occurrence where federal prosecutors alleged that protesters directed threats and physical objects at the ICE facility.
Local business owner Loretta Guzman expressed her concerns, stating, “Every day, every week, we fight crime, drugs and the dangers that come with being here. It feels like our leaders have abandoned public safety.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited Portland and criticized Oregon’s Governor Tina Kotek and Portland’s Mayor Keith Wilson for allegedly downplaying the unrest. During her visit, she also addressed the protesters directly, referencing one dressed in a full-body chicken suit and labeling them as “uneducated and ill-informed.”
White House Press Secretary Abigail Jackson echoed this perspective, declaring, “This is not a controlled peaceful protest, as many have claimed, but an act of extreme violence.”
As Ocasio-Cortez considers a potential run for the presidency or Senate, she has successfully accumulated a remarkable $15 million in campaign funds, outpacing her congressional peers. She’s now inviting donors to contribute via Venmo, PayPal, and Google Pay to “keep our movement strong.”
