Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was reportedly arrested while protesting outside the Supreme Court, the socialist lawmaker claimed on Twitter.
She tweeted a video of the incident, and some critics noticed something odd about the footage: Ocasio-Cortez had her hands crossed behind her back… but there were no handcuffs.
In the video, Ocasio-Cortez follows the police with her hands behind her back. Then, she raises a fist in solidarity with the protestors. Then, she resumes walking with her hands behind her back, as if she were handcuffed.
Some critics accused her of faking her handcuffed arrest as part of a photo-op. Ocasio-Cortez has yet to tweet about these explosive accusations herself, despite her prolific presence on social media.
The Capitol Police confirmed the arrest of 35 people, including 17 lawmakers on Tuesday. The police cited violations of D.C.’s codes about crowding and obstructing.
Like Ocasio-Cortez, the police have yet to comment publicly on the accusations of faking handcuffs.
Some observers, while waiting for more reports to emerge, have already begun speculating.
Ocasio-Cortez defenders speculated that the police asked her to walk with her hands behind her back but didn’t have, or need, actual handcuffs.
Supporters also thanked her for protesting the court’s recent decision about abortion. One Twitter user even offered her money for bail.
At the same time, critics accused Ocasio-Cortez of faking a pair of handcuffs. One Twitter user called the episode “bad dinner theater.” Another commentator compared this video to the viral photo of Ocasio-Cortez conspicuously crying near the U.S.-Mexico border.
Take a look and decide for yourself —
Today, Rep. AOC was arrested along with other members of Congress outside the Supreme Court for protesting in support of abortion rights. #AbortionRightsAreHumanRights pic.twitter.com/gvj9J1o5ic
— Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@RepAOC) July 19, 2022
https://twitter.com/camrynbaylee/status/1549455803211546624
Oh my gosh @AOC faking handcuffs.
This is too much. https://t.co/9Q8ur8KCgM
— Matt Whitlock (@mattdizwhitlock) July 19, 2022
She's pretending to be handcuffed, does a power fist, and goes back to pretending to be handcuffed. https://t.co/4aNVsX4F4z
— Noam Blum (@neontaster) July 19, 2022
AOC getting escorted by police: pic.twitter.com/D5Gu0DGfP1
— Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) July 19, 2022
Correction: We made a total of 35 arrests for Crowding, Obstructing or Incommoding (DC Code § 22–1307).
That arrest number includes 17 Members of Congress.
— The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) July 19, 2022
Did the Capitol Police politely ask Ocasio-Cortez to put her hands behind her back?
Or was Ocasio-Cortez playing up the moment for a photo-op.
It remains unclear as of Monday morning.
What do you think?
Why did Ocasio-Cortez put her hands behind her back?
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