SECONDNEXUS
percolately
georgetakei
comicsands
George's Readsdana loesch
Top stories
New York City reached a welcome milestone on Sunday— its first day with zero new virus deaths, but officials are also reporting a spike in crime, particularly in shootings.
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) claimed that much of the crime increase likely correlated with the economic hardships imposed by widespread business closures and skyrocketing unemployment. She spoke out against expanded police funding to fix the problem.
Watch below.
Rep. @AOC: "Crime is a symptom of a diseased society that neglects its most marginalized people, and we do not solv… https://t.co/jBrVLNm3at— The Hill (@The Hill) 1594607460.0
Ocasio-Cortez said:
"We have given the New York City Police Department six billion dollars. They are choosing not to spend that money on education and training. They are choosing to not make those choices. So, at this point, if you think more money is gonna solve this problem, I'm sorry, I have a deep disagreement and I have come to a very different conclusion. I am of the belief that crime is a symptom of a diseased society that neglects its most marginalized people, and we do not solve that problem with police."
The Congresswoman elaborated on her stance in a Twitter thread.
Republicans are all upset that I’m connecting the dots between poverty and crime. I know most of them haven’t expe… https://t.co/8FcvoqIV52— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1594658647.0
Ocasio-Cortez cited, as an example, the choice to sell marijuana when a full time job isn't enough to pay for the cost of living—a dilemma which disproportionately affects primarily Black and Brown communities.
That's when former National Rifle Association spokeswoman Dana Loesch attempted to best Ocasio-Cortez by criticizing her support for a reduced police budget.
Known for her Twitter clapbacks, the Congresswoman wasted no time in correcting Loesch.
None of these policing reductions have even *happened yet.* So a spike is happening WITH a $6 billion dollar NYPD… https://t.co/CD3ZGaCg9D— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez) 1594664612.0
Loesch responded shortly after the Congresswoman's retort, claiming the crime was due to a decrease in police morale caused by Ocasio-Cortez's stance.
So ... there is an increase in crime before you cut the budget and you still supporting cutting the budget? Great l… https://t.co/ERe5IjwXXO— Dana Loesch (@Dana Loesch) 1594665252.0
Additionally @AOC , your response overlooks the main points: policing (morale) and penalty reduction fueling recidi… https://t.co/ePXUpT5DFg— Dana Loesch (@Dana Loesch) 1594666234.0
People felt Loesch's point was weak.
@DLoesch @AOC Is penalty reduction increasing recidivism? Or is it the restrictions on the jobs newly released pris… https://t.co/go8rou7uZj— Mr. SUMMER ON LOCKdown (@Mr. SUMMER ON LOCKdown) 1594666920.0
@DLoesch @AOC Dana, again, your side is offering ZERO solutions to the multiple crises brought on by the Trump pand… https://t.co/oLltvO9Kao— Daniel Kurz (@Daniel Kurz) 1594666470.0
@DLoesch @AOC Maybe you’re dense or dumb but AOCs point was those in poverty generally face more problems which mak… https://t.co/zFdHj7mnyG— s✊🏾💜 (@s✊🏾💜) 1594666497.0
Blaming Ocasio-Cortez for violent crime in New York City is quickly becoming a Republican talking point.
When reporting on the tragic shooting of an infant in the city, far-Right media outlet The Daily Wire used a picture of Ocasio-Cortez as the featured image, despite the crime occurring in Brooklyn—well outside of Ocasio-Cortez's district.
The publication soon deleted the tweet, reposting it with the clarification that the crime occurred the same day that Ocasio-Cortez said economic hardships played a significant role in the rise in crime.
We’ve deleted a previous tweet because of an incomplete title. Please see complete title below. One-Year-Old Baby K… https://t.co/KXA4p8qvfN— The Daily Wire (@The Daily Wire) 1594664224.0
The update wasn't warmly received.
@realDailyWire My dishwasher quit working same day a one-year-old baby killed by gunfire.— BCS (@BCS) 1594664745.0
@realDailyWire The Daily Wire Rationalizes Random Killing Of One Year Old With Photo Of AOC— Monte Walsh (@Monte Walsh) 1594666252.0
@realDailyWire yep it’s still a stupid ass article— tommy 🌹🏳️🌈 (@tommy 🌹🏳️🌈) 1594664297.0
@realDailyWire Lol, still a bad take.— Killer Scene Queen with a Mask (@Killer Scene Queen with a Mask) 1594664971.0
Meanwhile, people commended Ocasio-Cortez for her clapback against Loesch.
@AOC @NRA All @DLoesch ever cares about is selling assault weapons. Keep fighting the good fight, @AOC!— Chuck Miller (@Chuck Miller) 1594664694.0
@AOC @NRA Too many on the right cannot, or refuse to, realize that there is a problem with law enforcement. They pr… https://t.co/FLImkyjljg— Ashley Parsons (@Ashley Parsons) 1594664985.0
@AOC @NRA https://t.co/0Ma53Ztlyl— L U X X I E (@L U X X I E) 1594664711.0
Ocasio-Cortez will almost certainly be reelected on November 3rd, having recently won her district's Democratic primary with a whopping 72.6% of the vote.