Two investigators visited the home of a person apparently residing in California for tweeting an unflattering comment about US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC). The plainclothes officers were from the California Highway Patrol and paid a visit on behalf of the Capitol Police, opindia.com reported.
The individual speculated that he was paid a visit because of a tweet where he said that AOC’s response to a question on Israel and Palestine was underwhelming.
(2/X) I assume this is the tweet they are talking about, where I lightly criticized @AOC for a disappointing answer in response to a question about Palestine/Israel. https://t.co/vNfGcctgsR
— Human Rights Watch Watcher (@queeralamode) April 8, 2021
The individual said that the visit was outrageous. He said, “I felt scared, intimidated, and violated. They knew my name and where I live. It was done on behalf of a congresswoman who advocates against police state tactics.”
Continuing, the individual added, “I recognize she probably receives a lot of threats, but I shouldn’t be harassed by police for critiquing her politics. I frankly feel very unsafe in my home right now.”
(4/X) I’d really appreciate it if @AOC could look into this. I recognize she probably receives a lot of threats, but I shouldn’t be harassed by police for critiquing her politics. I frankly feel very unsafe in my home right now.
— Human Rights Watch Watcher (@queeralamode) April 8, 2021
CHP appeared to confirm they paid the Twitter user a visit although they did not admit it directly when reportedly confronted by another user on the platform. The CHP asked the user to contact Capitol Police for more information, opindia.com reported.
The CHP often assists in investigations at the request of allied agencies. Please contact the U.S. Capitol Police for additional information.
— CHP Headquarters (@CHP_HQ) April 9, 2021
A spokesperson for AOC denied reporting the matter to police. Ryan Grim, journalist at The Intercept, quoted a spokesperson as saying, “No, not at all. But when we saw his tweets last night about being visited we asked Capitol Police to look into what happened here.”
Journalist Glenn Greenwald said, “No basis to assume AOC is responsible for this without evidence, but regardless, this is a very serious incident if the Capitol Police are dispatching armed police officers to citizens’ homes in response to non-violent criticisms of a politician’s statements. It’s repressive.”
No basis to assume AOC is responsible for this without evidence, but regardless, this is a very serious incident if the Capitol Police are dispatching armed police officers to citizens' homes in response to non-violent criticisms of a politician's statements. It's repressive. https://t.co/rVm8WJiQwA
— Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) April 9, 2021
Greenwald’s words ring true. Imagine a country where police officers are dispatched to confront people making critical comments of politicians under the guise of “threatening, insurrectionist”? Is it beginning to occur?
