AOC Campaign Denies Connection to Accused Woman

The campaign team of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., has firmly denied any association with Iman Abdul, a woman arrested for allegedly making terroristic threats against a Brooklyn public high school attended by Jewish students. The campaign condemned Abdul’s antisemitic remarks as “appalling” and clarified that she was never part of their staff. This statement comes amidst reports suggesting Abdul’s past involvement with Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign as a youth organizer in 2018, which the campaign categorically refutes.

Details of the Arrest and Charges

Iman Abdul, 27, was apprehended by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) on charges including making a terroristic threat, endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated harassment, and making a threat of mass harm. The NYPD confirmed that Abdul allegedly made these threats via social media targeting Leon Goldstein High School for the Sciences in Manhattan Beach. The threats were reported to the police on Thursday afternoon, leading to Abdul’s arrest on Friday.

Public Reaction and Legal Proceedings

The case first came to light through a report by the New York Post, which shared screenshots from Abdul’s deactivated Instagram account. In these posts, Abdul allegedly incited attacks on the school due to its Jewish student population. This prompted strong reactions from groups like Stop Antisemitism and Jewish advocate Uri Cohen, who demanded legal action against Abdul. Online court records indicate that Abdul has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Community Outcry and Calls for Action

Tova Plaut, a Department of Education pre-K staffer and Jewish activist, expressed outrage over the incident, emphasizing the danger posed by such threats. She called for immediate action to prevent escalation of antisemitic sentiments. Meanwhile, Abdul defended her posts in a message to Stop Antisemitism before deactivating her account, claiming her intent was not to incite physical attacks but to criticize the school as a Zionist institution.

Clarification from Ocasio-Cortez’s Campaign

Despite reports linking Abdul to Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign and State Sen. Julia Salazar’s campaign as a paid canvasser in 2018, Ocasio-Cortez’s office has denied any formal employment relationship with Abdul. They reiterated their condemnation of violence and antisemitic rhetoric without reservation.