Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez urged northern progressives at a May 16 Montgomery rally to "pull up" to Southern states to challenge what she called ongoing political injustice, arguing the U.S. was not a full democracy until the Voting Rights Act. She criticized the Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Roberts and named Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee and Mississippi as targets for organizing. Conservative creators on TikTok mocked her speech—one video topped 1 million views—pointing to her speaking behind bulletproof glass. Ocasio-Cortez's office did not immediately respond.
AOC Urges Northerners to 'Pull Up' to the South at Montgomery Rally; Critics Mock Her Security
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) speaks during a news conference on April 29, 2026 outside the U.S. Capitol.(Getty Images)
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) urged progressive activists from the North to "pull up" to Southern states during a May 16 rally in Montgomery, Alabama, drawing both applause and sharp criticism online.
Rally Message
Speaking at the "All Roads Lead to The South" event, Ocasio-Cortez argued that the United States did not operate as a full democracy until the Voting Rights Act of the 1960s and criticized the Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Roberts as "part of that long history of regression and repression in America." She named Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee and Mississippi as places where organizers should mobilize to challenge what she described as ongoing political injustice. On social media she reinforced the call, writing: "If you're not from these states, it's time to pull up."
Social Media Reaction
Conservative commentators and creators quickly seized on Ocasio-Cortez's remarks. Many highlighted the optics of her delivering the speech behind bulletproof glass and questioned the practicality of her call to action. Conservative podcaster Todd Spears posted a TikTok reaction that surpassed 1 million views, mocking her security setup and arguing the rhetoric was divisive. Another creator, Kei Bennett, posted a response that exceeded 800,000 views and jokingly warned would-be visitors about local dangers, using colorful regional imagery.
"If you're not from these states, it's time to pull up." — Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (May 16)
Response And Context
Ocasio-Cortez's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Supporters say her remarks were a call to organize and build political power in regions where civil-rights progress has been contested; critics say the message risks deepening regional divisions and that the security measures undercut the rally's rhetorical challenge. The exchange highlights the increasingly prominent role of social media in shaping immediate public responses to in-person political events.
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