AOC criticized by southern conservatives after ‘pull up to the South’ event

Ocasio-Cortez Sparks Controversy with Montgomery Speech

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) recently stirred up significant controversy among Southern conservatives following a passionate address in Montgomery, Alabama. She appealed to northern progressives to take action in the South.

During the “All Roads Lead to the South” rally on May 16th, Ocasio-Cortez asserted that the U.S. wasn’t a genuine democracy until the Voting Rights Act of the 1960s. She criticized the Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Roberts, accusing it of contributing to America’s ongoing issues of backwardness and oppression.

Her remarks included a provocative call for people from the North to engage with states like Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Mississippi in the fight against political injustice. After the event, she urged via social media, “If you are not from these states, now is the time to leave.”

Almost immediately, her comments drew backlash on social media, particularly from conservatives who highlighted the irony of her urging people to “pull up” while she was speaking behind bulletproof glass.

A reaction video from conservative podcaster Todd Spears humorously critiqued Ocasio-Cortez’s security measures, gathering over a million views. Spears sarcastically questioned what people were supposed to do in Alabama and how they might be received, suggesting it might be safer to stay put.

Spears further labeled her comments as divisive, stating, “It’s gross for AOC to talk about the North ‘engaging’ the South and Alabama as if it were still the 1860s.” He emphasized the need for politicians to focus on unity and problem-solving rather than creating further divisions.

Another TikTok creator, Kay Bennett, cautioned Ocasio-Cortez’s supporters not to heed her advice about moving to Alabama. With a humorous tone, she mentioned local dangers and advised people to stay where they are, claiming, “We’re not bothering anyone.”