(PresidentialInsider.com)- On Thursday, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. got into a Twitter spat with a progressive journalist and former MSNBC host after failing to attend a labor union demonstration she had promised to participate in last summer.
Krystal Ball, co-host of “Breaking Points,” chastised the Squad member for tweeting support for a Staten Island Amazon Labor Union vote after blowing off their union drive in August 2021.
Her excuse was “scheduling issues” and “security concerns,” but she went to the Met Gala a few weeks later.
“Here’s the guy who organized the union drive talking about how you left them high and dry. These are your constituents, and you couldn’t be bothered to show up until they’re on the cusp of victory,” she tweeted at Ocasio-Cortez.
AOC rebutted in a tweet-
“The warehouse isn’t in my district and maybe you should look at a map before claiming so. One scheduling conflict aside, we have requested oversight investigations into Amazon, met with Amazon workers in the Woodside warehouses, and more. Hope you do more due diligence next time.”
In response to Ocasio Cortez’s answer to Ball’s criticism, progressive writer Jordan Chariton said that her staff notified employees “last minute” that they couldn’t come due to a lack of security, not a schedule difficulty.
Chariton tweeted-
“I was told by workers that your folks told them at last minute it was a security issue—not a scheduling conflict. Whether ur district or not, you would think a NY Congressman could’ve tweeted support—particularly in final weeks—for one of the most important union drives in U.S.”
While Ocasio-Cortez initially claimed schedule issues, she later said she was afraid of “threats to her life,” which is why she did not attend the rally.
AOC tweeted-
“Security was an issue as well. 2021 included a lot of high level threats on my life, which limited what activities I was able to do, especially those outside. The combination of that + when we are able to get resources/time to secure them creates scheduling + logistical conflicts.”
Chariton responded-
“With respect, there’s no security concerns with sending out support to @amazonlabor trying to win the first unionized Amazon to 13 million followers. Your voice and organizing power makes a difference.”
Ball keenly quipped about how security issues weren’t feared at the glitzy Met Gala.
“No security concerns at the met gala,” she tweeted.
