New York Congressional nominee Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez failed at her attempt to explain a press ban at an event, making things even worse with reporters.
The Democratic socialist came under fire for banning the media from her latest town hall event in Queens with her constituents. But her explanation defending her decision backfired as journalists and defenders of the press unleashed scathing rebukes in response.
Her campaign explained the decision last week to ban members of the media from attending the event which was part of her “listening tour” through New York’s 14th Congressional District. and was supposedly open to the public, claiming it was to make people “feel safe.”
Campaign says ““We wanted to help create a space where community members felt comfortable and open to express themselves without the distraction of cameras and press.”
Then make it a private event. Don’t make it a public event and then ban the press.
— Seung Min Kim (@seungminkim) August 17, 2018
Ocasio-Cortez took to Twitter on Friday to elaborate.
Our community is 50% immigrant. Folks are victims of DV, trafficking, + have personal medical issues.
This town hall was designed for residents to feel safe discussing sensitive issues in a threatening political time.
We indicated previously that it would be closed to press.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) August 17, 2018
Additionally, with this town hall non-story: it was designed to protect + invite vulnerable populations to PUBLIC discourse: immigrants, victims of domestic abuse, and so on.
We indicated previously that the event would be closed to press. Future ones are open.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@Ocasio2018) August 17, 2018
That sparked epic blowback from some prominent journalists.
And how does the presence of reporters make people feel unsafe?
— Ben Jacobs (@Bencjacobs) August 17, 2018
The liberal media making lefties feel unsafe is the funniest thing I’ve read in awhile here on Twitter dot com https://t.co/zcZm6ZA7GI
— Curtis Houck (@CurtisHouck) August 17, 2018
Not sure this holds up. Press banned to make voters more comfortable, except anyone could have walked in as long as they claimed to be a future constituent – unless all attendees had their backgrounds were vetted. Which means it wasn’t ‘open to the public.’ => https://t.co/jDR6j1Yaes
— David M. Drucker (@DavidMDrucker) August 17, 2018
It’s really quite condescending to call it a non-story @Ocasio2018 – it’s very simple, if you wanted a private event, keep it private. But you chose to ban the press from a public event. https://t.co/12qFq5ihjo
— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) August 17, 2018
Then it’s not a town hall, it’s a private meeting. https://t.co/tkrsfQsyjz
— craasch (@craasch) August 17, 2018
Calling a legitimate story (reporting on a campaign’s barring of press at an otherwise public event because the campaign felt it would be a distraction) a “non-story” is not a good look. https://t.co/VhYfr7y5BC https://t.co/GKS33R2Anh
— Ali Rogin (@AliABCNews) August 17, 2018
Every politician in NYC holds constant events in immigrant communities and has done so since the dawn of time, the press covering these forums is totally normal. https://t.co/pyK7mf5JbC
— Benjy Sarlin (@BenjySarlin) August 17, 2018
While Ocasio-Cortez locking horns with the liberal media warrants a good bowl of popcorn, some on Twitter noted the darker implications of a socialist hoping to head to Washington, D.C.
Area Socialist believes the press makes people unsafe https://t.co/By8Xd7goD6
— Logan Dobson (@LoganDobson) August 17, 2018
Socialists always show their authoritarian streak sooner or later. https://t.co/HDiKXrT9Dq
— Eric H. (@ericinva) August 17, 2018
Socialists always have an excuse for their tyranny. It’s always for the people. https://t.co/SSBYctY2U1
— Nathan the Wurtzelhearted (@NathanWurtzel) August 17, 2018
As always, the liberal media’s double standard is stunning.
Reporters make her feel unsafe? FIRE UP THE EDITORIALS, THIS IS NOT A DRILL https://t.co/IvGh9zkE0q
— David Rutz (@DavidRutz) August 17, 2018
Everyone who hates Trump for bashing the media should be equally as angry by Ms Ocasio-Cortez banning the media from a public event.
Public events are for the public right? Aren’t the people that make up the media part of the public? https://t.co/gWk3naV9bF
— Tots (@Tots4Masses) August 17, 2018
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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