AOC heckled over Ukraine stance during poorly attended town hall

U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) was called out during a town hall meeting at Bronxdale High School Wednesday over her militant stance on Ukraine. Video footage shows sparse attendance at the meeting, with many of those present wearing masks. 

While the event was supposed to focus on Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, the subject matter shifted when two young men who were supporters of AOC rose and began shouting at the “lawmaker”. 

“Congresswoman! None of this matters unless there’s a nuclear war which you voted to send arms and weapons to Ukraine,” shouted one protester, before invoking former Democratic Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard who this week dropped out of the Democratic Party. 

“Tulsi Gabbard, she’s left the Democratic Party because they are war hawks, ok? You originally voted – you ran as an outsider. Yet you’ve been voting to start this war in Ukraine. You’re voting to start a third nuclear war with Russia and China! Why are you playing with the lives of American citizens? You’re playing with our lives!” 

AOC, unsuccessfully trying to get a word in, appeared to have said something about bothering “neighbors,” which the second protester stood up and addressed. 

“There will be no neighbors if there’s a nuclear bomb,” shouted the second activist, now identified as Jose Varga, as some audience members began applauding. “You voted to mobilize and send money to Ukrainian Nazis. You’re a progressive socialist? Where are you against the war? Mobilization?” 

“He’s telling the right truth!” said Varga, pointing to the other heckler. “You have done nothing. Tulsi Gabbard has shown guts where you’ve shown cowardice. I believed in you, and you became the very thing you sought to fight against. That’s what you’ve become,” one of the protesters shouted. “You are the establishment and you are the reason why everybody will end up in a nuclear war unless you choose to stand up right now and denounce the Democratic Party. Will you do that? Yes or no?” 

AOC can be heard saying something to the effect of not being able to hear. 

“Ok, simple,” Varga responded. “Are you going to stop nuclear war? Yes or no?” 

AOC told Varga to get in line to say his piece. 

“There is no line! Because this is bullsh*t! None of this matters if we’re all dead! None of it! You know that!” 

AOC apparently tried to hold off Varga by telling him it can be discussed another time. 

“Then let’s take it up right now,” Varga pressed, “because this is the only thing that matters.” 

AOC was one of those who voted in favor of a $40 billion aid package to Ukraine in May.  

In a tweet on February 23, AOC wrote that “any military action must take place with Congressional approval.” She called for that Congressional approval in a letter she signed, saying “if the ongoing situation compels you to introduce the brave men and women of our military into Ukraine.”