Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized those sending “thoughts and prayers” to the victims of New Zealand’s mass shootings that killed at least 49 people Friday.
“At 1st I thought of saying, ’Imagine being told your house of faith isn’t safe anymore.’ But I couldn’t say ’imagine.’ Because of Charleston. Pittsburgh. Sutherland Springs,’” the New York Democrat tweeted.
“What good are your thoughts & prayers when they don’t even keep the pews safe?”
At 1st I thought of saying, “Imagine being told your house of faith isn’t safe anymore.”
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 15, 2019
But I couldn’t say “imagine.”
Because of Charleston.
Pittsburgh.
Sutherland Springs.
What good are your thoughts & prayers when they don’t even keep the pews safe?pic.twitter.com/2mSw0azDN8
The freshman lawmaker pointed out that her comments weren’t intended for New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, who labeled the shootings as a terrorist attack and offered her “thoughts” to the victims.
(“Thoughts and prayers” is reference to the NRA’s phrase used to deflect conversation away from policy change during tragedies. Not directed to PM Ardern, who I greatly admire.)
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) March 15, 2019
An avowed white supremacist took credit for attacking two mosques in the city of Christchurch that were packed for Friday prayers. The suspected gunman streamed the attacks live on Facebook.
He has been arrested and charged with murder while three others are being held in police custody.
• Bailey Vogt can be reached at bvogt@washingtontimes.com.
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