OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is facing backlash after promoting an organizing effort led by employees at Amazon after critics said she backed out of speaking with those employees last summer at another event.
The Amazon Labor Union said on Tuesday that it was winning a vote by a margin of around 400 at an Amazon facility in New York City’s Staten Island when the Twitter fight started.
💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽 https://t.co/Rs8EkRs6s1
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 31, 2022
Democrat author and commentator Krystal Ball responded to the representative’s tweet with criticism.
“Here’s the guy who organized the union drive talking about how you left them high and dry. These are your constituents and you couldn’t be bothered to show up until they’re on the cusp of victory,” she said with a link to the video.
Here’s the guy who organized the union drive talking about how you left them high and dry. These are your constituents and you couldn’t be bothered to show up until they’re on the cusp of victory. https://t.co/5wIu3VbbGi
— Krystal Ball (@krystalball) March 31, 2022
And that was when Rep. Ocasio-Cortez started weaving her tale of excuses.
“The warehouse isn’t in my district and maybe you should look at a map before claiming so. One scheduling conflict aside, we have requested oversight investigations into Amazon, met with Amazon workers in the Woodside warehouses, and more. Hope you do more due diligence next time,” the representative said.
The warehouse isn’t in my district and maybe you should look at a map before claiming so. One scheduling conflict aside, we have requested oversight investigations into Amazon, met with Amazon workers in the Woodside warehouses, and more. Hope you do more due diligence next time.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 31, 2022
“I was told by workers that your folks told them at last minute it was a security issue–not a scheduling conflict. Whether ur district or not, you would think a NY Congressman could’ve tweeted support–particularly in final weeks–for one of the most important union drives in U.S,” journalist Jordan Chariton said.
I was told by workers that your folks told them at last minute it was a security issue–not a scheduling conflict. Whether ur district or not, you would think a NY Congressman could've tweeted support–particularly in final weeks–for one of the most important union drives in U.S
— Jordan (@JordanChariton) March 31, 2022
“Security was an issue as well. 2021 included a lot of high level threats on my life, which limited what activities I was able to do, especially those outside. The combination of that + when we are able to get resources/time to secure them creates scheduling + logistical conflicts,” the representative said, adding to her excuses.
Security was an issue as well. 2021 included a lot of high level threats on my life, which limited what activities I was able to do, especially those outside. The combination of that + when we are able to get resources/time to secure them creates scheduling + logistical conflicts
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 31, 2022
Last month the representative used the conflict between Russia and Ukraine to argue for amnesty for all refugees.
She appeared on MSNBC this week and made her case to host Rachel Maddow, The Blaze reported.
The host asked the representative how the crisis that has refugees fleeing Ukraine can be used to prevent the demonization of illegal immigrants in the United States, but she changed the topic to amnesty.
“I think that the way that we are looking at immediate granting of TPS to Ukrainian refugees, which is what we need to be doing, as well as many others, is something that we really need to keep in mind. Because I do believe that, for example, the thousands of people who try to seek legal refuge on our southern border, how Haitian refugees have been treated by the United States, not just in past administrations, but frankly this one, is not right,” the representative said.
“And we really need to make sure that when we talk about accepting refugees, that we are meaning it for everybody, no matter where you come from. But I do believe that this also presents a profound opportunity because of the amount of extraordinary support for Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees,” she said.
“If we grant TPS to Ukrainian refugees, this is also an opportunity to finally create a path to citizenship for TPS recipients,” she said. “So I think that while there is a risk, there’s also a profound opportunity for us to make the crooked path straight on this issue.”
She then retweeted a tweet from someone who shared her video and who also said that Immigration and Customs Enforcement should be abolished and blamed white supremacy for something.
“Exactly this, @AOC. How the US treats Ukraine refugees is how it should have, should yet, treat refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, Haiti, on our southern border, & elsewhere. And let this be a chance to fix some of what is broken about US immigration,” the person said.
She didn’t say “racism” and “white supremacy” and “abolish ICE” but I will.
— Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg (@TheRaDR) March 2, 2022
“She didn’t say ‘racism’ and ‘white supremacy’ and ‘abolish ICE’ but I will,” she said.
