Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Addresses Rally in Montgomery, Alabama

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a Democrat from New York, spoke at the "All Roads Lead to The South" rally in Montgomery, Alabama, on May 16, 2026. During her speech, she called for northern progressives to engage with southern states, stating that the U.S. was not a true democracy until the Voting Rights Act was passed in the 1960s. Ocasio-Cortez criticized the Supreme Court under Chief Justice John Roberts, claiming it contributes to regression and repression in America. Following the rally, she reiterated her message on social media, urging people from the North to travel to states like Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Mississippi to address political injustices. Her remarks received backlash from conservative commentators, who noted the irony of her call to action while she was protected by bulletproof glass during the event. Conservative podcaster Todd Spears and TikTok creator Kei Bennett shared their reactions, with Spears questioning the practicality of her message and Bennett humorously warning against taking her advice to visit Alabama. Ocasio-Cortez's office did not respond to requests for comment.