AOC lastly shared what occurred on the Capitol on Jan. 6 in an emotionally uncooked Instagram stay
It’s been just a few weeks since pro-Trump rioters stormed the U.S. Capitol constructing, forcing members of Congress to evacuate or take cowl contained in the constructing. We’re nonetheless studying particulars of what occurred that day, and final evening, in an emotional Instagram stay video, New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (higher generally known as AOC) informed her story. In the method, she revealed that the assault triggered previous trauma from a sexual assault she suffered.
“I’m a sexual assault survivor. I haven’t told many people in my life,” she mentioned, her voice wavering with emotion. “All of your traumas can, kind of, intersect and interact.”
During the Capitol Attack, @AOC hid within the lavatory in her workplace and says she heard somebody break in, shouting “where is she?”
“This was the moment where I thought everything was over,” she says, whereas she hid behind the door of her lavatory. “I thought I was going to die.”
— Chelsea Cirruzzo ✨ (@ChelseaCirruzzo) February 2, 2021
AOC mentioned that Republican members of Congress have informed her and different survivors of the Jan. 6 assault to “get over it,” and he or she in contrast that to ways utilized by abusers to silence their victims.
“The folks who are saying we should move on, we shouldn’t have accountability, etc., are saying: ‘Can you just forget about this so that we can do it again?’…I’m not going to let it happen to me again,” she mentioned, “and I’m not going to let it happen to our country.”
What’s taking place on @aoc’s Instagram Live proper now could be vital and extraordinary.
— Franklin Leonard (@franklinleonard) February 2, 2021
AOC additionally shared extra particulars from that day, revealing that she hid behind the door in her workplace lavatory. She mentioned she stood there as she heard somebody break in and shout, “Where is she? Where is she?”
“This was the moment where I thought everything was over,” she mentioned, as soon as once more holding again tears. “I have never been quieter in my entire life. I thought I was going to die.”
In the 90-minute video, AOC recounted hiding in Representative Katie Porter’s workplace to keep away from rioters who have been in search of her out, on the lookout for previous health club garments to put on to disguise herself, and contemplating leaping out the window to flee.
What @AOC is revealing proper now could be simply… insane that it bought up to now.
— John Iadarola (@johniadarola) February 2, 2021
“If you have experienced any sort of trauma, just the fact of recognizing that and admitting it is already a huge step. Especially in a world where people are constantly trying to tell you that you didn’t experience what you experienced, or that you’re lying,” she mentioned. “Those are additional traumas on traumas that you’ve already experienced. There’s the trauma of going through what you went through, and then there’s the trauma afterwards. Of people not believing you, or trying to publicly humiliate you, or trying to embarrass you.”
During and after the stay, individuals on social media extensively praised AOC for being so open and weak.
I’ve simply by no means seen a congressperson like her in my lifetime.
— Laura Bassett (@LEBassett) February 2, 2021
There is nobody who may presumably hearken to @AOC‘s story on IG and assume her life – and the lives of different members of Congress – weren’t threatened by the revolt.
It’s unconscionable that not one of the Republicans who incited or deliberate it have been held to account.
— Max Berger (@maxberger) February 2, 2021
Truly simply indescribably grateful for @AOC
— Morgan Sperry (@MorganRSperry) February 2, 2021
We are so so so lucky to have girls like @AOC, @AyannaPressley & @katieporteroc in Congress.
— Amanda Litman (@amandalitman) February 2, 2021
You can watch the total stay video beneath.