Rep AOC Called Out By NYPD for Remarks About Columbia University Protests

By Hamodia Staff

US Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) was chastised by the high ranking officials of the NYPD for her incendiary remarks concerning NYPD officers assigned to the ongoing protests at Columbia University.

As school officials extended their deadline for the protestors to vacate the campus for 48 hours on Wednesday, a war of words erupted between Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and NYPD officials about the pro-Palestinian protest and encampment.

AOC was critical of the university’s decision earlier this week to call in the NYPD to remove protestors from the campus, noting that the units called in were in her words “some of the most violent reputations on the force.”

On X, AOC tweeted, “Not only did Columbia make the horrific decision to mobilize NYPD on their own students, but the units called in have some of the most violent reputations on the force. NYPD had promised the city they wouldn’t deploy SRG to protests. So why are these counterterror units here?”

In response, Chief John Chell, NYPD Chief of Patrol, wrote on his X account, “Truly amazing! Columbia decided to hold its students accountable to the laws of the school. They are seeing the consequences of their actions. Something these kids were most likely never taught. Good SAT scores and self-entitlement do not supersede the law. I am sure you would agree that we have to teach them these valuable life skills.

“Secondly, I was with those “units” last Thursday that you describe as having, ‘the most violent reputations.’ These ‘units’ removed students with great care and professionalism, not a single incident was reported. The only incidents that day on campus were the student’s hateful anti-Semitic speech and vile language towards our cops. I am sure you agree any hateful speech is unacceptable.”

Chief Chell suggested that Rep. AOC rethink her comments and provide a “simple thank you to the NYPD.”

“Maybe you should walk around Columbia and NYU and listen to their remarks of pure hatred. I will ensure those ‘units’ will protect you as they do for all NYers 24/7/365.”

Echoing Chell’s remarks was NYPD Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry, who wrote on X, “Everyone has a Constitutional right to protest, it’s one of the pillars our great democracy is built on. But kids also have a right to go to school without being harassed, threatened, intimidated or assaulted.

“There is nothing “horrific” about protecting the safety of Columbia’s young students who are just trying to go to school. We’ve said it time and time again, the NYPD will always protect and defend your right to protest but just because you hold a sign while you’re threatening, harassing, intimidating and assaulting people doesn’t give you a free pass from criminal conduct.

“Being anti-Semitic and spewing hate to kids will never ever be tolerated in our city. Our officers are the best and most highly trained law enforcement professionals in the world. Everyday, they have to endure insults, threats, and hate speech merely because the uniform they wear as they try to keep the peace and protect everyone’s rights. I encourage you @AOC to visit Columbia and do a walk through; I promise our officers will, like always, do their job, and protect you like they have protected everyone on campus regardless of what your political beliefs are.

“We’ll also take a report if you feel threatened.”