Arrest of Former Campaign Organizer

A former youth campaign organizer for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Iman Abdul, has been arrested in New York City. The 27-year-old Brooklyn resident faces charges including making a terroristic threat, endangering the welfare of a child, aggravated harassment, and making a threat of mass harm. The New York City Police Department (NYPD) confirmed the arrest to Fox News Digital, following reports of threats made against a Brooklyn public high school attended by Jewish students.

Details of the Alleged Threat

The incident came to light when Abdul allegedly used social media to threaten Leon Goldstein High School for the Sciences in Manhattan Beach. The NYPD reported that the threat was made on Thursday afternoon, targeting the school located within the 61st Precinct. Screenshots obtained by the New York Post from Abdul’s now-deactivated Instagram account reportedly showed her encouraging attacks on the school, referring to it as a place attended by “Lexus driving Israhell loving Zionists.”

Community Reaction and Legal Proceedings

The group Stop Antisemitism and Jewish advocate Uri Cohen have publicly condemned Abdul’s actions, sharing her photo and the post on social media platform X. They have called for her prosecution over these threats. Online court records indicate that Abdul was arraigned on charges of making a terroristic threat and making a threat of mass harm, to which she pleaded not guilty.

Public Outcry and Legal Defense

Tova Plaut, a Department of Education pre-K staffer and Jewish activist, expressed outrage over the incident, emphasizing the danger posed by such threats. In a message to Stop Antisemitism, Abdul defended her post, claiming it was not a call for physical attacks but rather a verbal attack on what she described as a “Zionist institution.”

Connection to Political Campaigns

The New York Post also highlighted Abdul’s past involvement with political campaigns. She reportedly worked on Ocasio-Cortez’s Democratic primary campaign in 2018 and was also associated with State Sen. Julia Salazar’s campaign as a paid canvasser during the same period.