Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Thought She 'Was Going To Die' During Capitol Attack
New York congresswoman said on Instagram Live she had a ‘very close encounter’ that put her life at risk. The Guardian, Jan. 13, 2021.
The Democratic congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told thousands of followers via her Instagram Live on Tuesday that she “thought [she] was going to die” as a pro-Trump mob stormed the US Capitol last week. “I did not know if I was going to make it to the end of that day alive,” she said. Not divulging details due to security concerns, the New York congresswoman revealed she had a “very close encounter” that put her life, and those of her staff, at risk.
“Wednesday was an extremely traumatizing event. And it was not an exaggeration to say that many members of the House were nearly assassinated,” she said. Ocasio-Cortez – who is also referred to as AOC – spoke at length about the experience, noting she “didn’t feel safe around other members of Congress” because there were colleagues “who would create opportunities to allow [her] to be hurt, kidnapped, etc”.
“I myself did not even feel safe going to that extraction point because there were QAnons and white supremacist sympathizers and, frankly, white supremacist members of Congress in that extraction point who I know and who I had felt would disclose my location,” she said. The FBI has so far confirmed dozens of arrests for the attack in which thousands of Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the US Capitol, fixed on stopping the electoral college vote sealing his re-election loss. The overwhelmingly white violent mob included white supremacists and some people waving Confederate flags and sporting neo-Nazi regalia.
Five people, including a Capitol police officer, were killed. A second officer died by suicide in the days following the attack.
In the days since the attack, reports have uncovered the full scope of the attack. Videos surfaced of attackers chanting “Hang Mike Pence”, carrying zip ties designed to be used as restraints. Officials also confirmed they confiscated pipe bombs, molotov cocktails and several guns on the Capitol and surrounding area. The images suggest some involved in the mob were embarking on a coordinated insurrection aimed at more than just obstructing the electoral college certification. The congresswoman’s remarks add to several Democratic leaders who have come forward with details that suggest some Republican politicians may also have aided in the invasion...
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Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Thought She 'Was Going To Die' During Capitol Attack (Original post)
Blue Owl (32,711 posts) 
