AOC urges New Yorkers to go to Alabama during passionate rally speech

Ocasio-Cortez’s Speech in Alabama Sparks Controversy

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) has stirred up considerable backlash from Southern conservatives after delivering a passionate speech in Montgomery, Alabama last week. She called on northern progressives to “pull up South.”

At the rally on May 16 titled “All Roads Lead to the South,” Ocasio-Cortez asserted that the United States didn’t truly embody democracy until the 1960s with the Voting Rights Act. She took aim at the Supreme Court, accusing it under Chief Justice John Roberts of contributing to a longstanding history of oppression.

In her remarks, she made a notable—and perhaps controversial—call to action, urging people in the North to travel to red states like Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Mississippi to combat what she termed political injustice.

Following her address, she expressed on social media, “If you’re not from these states, now is the time to leave.”

Many conservatives reacted swiftly on social media, pointing out the irony of her urging people to “pull up” while she spoke from behind bulletproof glass. A TikTok by conservative podcaster Todd Spears, which humorously criticized her security precautions, went viral with over a million views.

In his video, Spears questioned, “[Pull up] And what do you do? Can you help me with everyday tasks? Mowing grass, or whatever?” He further mocked her security, saying, “You’d better come down here with some serious backup. That’s not a good idea. Maybe just stay where you are.”

Spears also addressed the divisive tone of Ocasio-Cortez’s comments, suggesting that politicians should focus more on unifying Americans rather than creating divisions.

Another TikTok creator, Kay Bennett, who garnered over 800,000 views, also cautioned Ocasio-Cortez’s supporters against taking her advice. She humorously highlighted local dangers—feral hogs and alligators, for instance—implying that moving to Alabama wouldn’t be wise.

Bennett, who has a substantial following, warned, “Around here, we don’t call the police; we call the coroner,” emphasizing that locals prefer to be left undisturbed.