Ocasio-Cortez’s Rally Remarks Elicit Southern Backlash
Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York is facing criticism from conservative circles across the South after her speech at a rally, where she urged those in northern states to unite against red states.
Ocasio-Cortez addressed the audience at the “All Roads Lead South” rally in Montgomery on May 16. According to reports, she encouraged progressives in states like Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Mississippi to protest what she described as political injustices. She later reiterated her message online, saying, “If you’re not from these states, now is the time to leave.”
Critics have pointed out the incongruity of her comments, emphasizing that she delivered her call to action from behind bulletproof glass. This setting was mocked by conservatives, suggesting it undermined the assertiveness of her message.
Conservative podcaster Todd Spears shared a TikTok video that gained over 1 million views. In the video, he questioned the practicality of her message, saying, “What exactly do you do when you curl up? Because you’re standing behind the glass in your hometown Pope. You start there and come here, you better bring a tank. That’s not a good idea. You stay where you are,” he advised.
TikTok creator Kay Bennett also weighed in, amassing more than 900,000 views on her content. “Here in the South, we don’t call the police. We call the coroner,” she stated, adding, “Stay where you are and leave us alone. We’re not bothering anyone.”
On the same day as Ocasio-Cortez’s rally, thousands gathered at the Alabama State Capitol for various events, reported Alabama Political Reporter. The rally was organized in response to a recent Supreme Court ruling and a GOP redistricting effort that civil rights advocates fear will dilute the voting strength of Black citizens.
Ocasio-Cortez, addressing the situation from the rally stage, cautioned Republicans not to assume that they would continue to hold an advantage in the political landscape. “They think they can remove us from power. They don’t know about the sleeping giant that they have just awakened,” she warned.
