‘If I was faking that, why would I intentionally fist pump somebody? It’s so silly’
Crowds gathered outside the US Supreme Court and those on social media have spotted Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez seemingly faking being handcuffed as she and a number of other members of Congress were arrested during a protest on Tuesday.
However, it would seem that – at least in her case – she was more accurately escorted from the premises, as even in the clip shared from her own account you can see her hands going from behind her back as though in handcuffs to raising a fist in the air.
Today, Rep. AOC was arrested along with other members of Congress outside the Supreme Court for protesting in support of abortion rights. #AbortionRightsAreHumanRights pic.twitter.com/gvj9J1o5ic
— Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@RepAOC) July 19, 2022
While AOC is walking with her hands crossed behind her back as though handcuffed, she clearly isn’t and can freely signal to the crowd as officers walk beside her, with one holding her arm as she and House colleagues Rashida Tlaib, Cori Bush, Carolyn Maloney and others were removed from the area after protesting against America’s recent changes to abortion laws.
The fact that the popular young Democratic representative shared this particular video on her own social media account suggests that she may not have been pretending to be handcuffed at all, perhaps putting her arms behind her back as it’s typically what people are expected to do when arrested – though it seems unlikely.
Nevertheless, many people online aren’t buying the scenes as anything other than a PR stunt, with some accusing her of “resorting to flat-out lying to [her] voters” and Republican commentator Matt Whitlock mocked the video, saying “this is too much”.
Have to wonder if any of the protesters alongside her ever thought "wait .. aren't you an elected member of Congress with the power to pass legislation on this issue? Why are you over here protesting? Pass a bill!"
— Matt Whitlock (@mattdizwhitlock) July 19, 2022
Newsweek even went so far as to suggest “Politicians Have Become Influencers—and Nothing More“. AOC has long taken advantage of a modern social media presence, not only earning the most watched video by a politician on Twitter ever but her infamous “Eat The Rich” dress became one of the most viral moments in 2021 (though that also suffered an unfortunate twist).
Circling back to the abortion rights protests themselves following the US being shaken by Roe v Wade being overturned, the situation was helped by the fact that fellow protestor and Minnesota Congress member Ilhan Omar was also seen crossing her arms behind her back as though in handcuffs.
Today I was arrested while participating in a civil disobedience action with my fellow Members of Congress outside the Supreme Court.
I will continue to do everything in my power to raise the alarm about the assault on our reproductive rights!
pic.twitter.com/rpFYOGBDf4
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) July 19, 2022
AOC is yet to issue an official statement commenting on the video. However, she did comment on it during an Instagram Q&A.
“Republicans’ favourite hobby is to make conspiracy theories out of everything to distract you and keep you from talking about what’s actually important — which is the fact that they are trying to take away your right to bodily autonomy,” said Ocasio-Cortez during an on-camera Instagram Story.
“If I was faking that, why would I intentionally first pump somebody? It’s so silly.”
Related links:
- US senator posts TikTok of her twerking in a headstand as someone shouts ‘that ass, that ass’
- Couple who smoked a joint inside the US Capitol say ‘we brought this on ourselves’
- Debunked: Johnson’s claim that the Conservatives have delivered on ‘every single one’ of their promises
