Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is rescheduling at least two planned events in North Carolina in the wake of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s killing, including a rally in Raleigh scheduled for Sunday.
“From the moment I was elected, I have felt that I accept a certain level of risk in doing this job,” Ocasio-Cortez told reporters. But she added that security protocols for members of Congress were “for a bygone time” and “not designed for a digital threat environment era.”
The Democratic representative told reporters Thursday on Capitol Hill that she made the decision out of security concerns and out of respect for Kirk.
Ocasio-Cortez, whose “Fighting Oligarchy” tour with Sen. Bernie Sanders has attracted massive crowds nationwide, was slated to speak at an event hosted by the North Carolina Democratic Party in Raleigh on Sunday before she canceled the appearance. A “special guest” was also set to appear.
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Kirk, 31, was killed Wednesday while speaking at an event hosted by the political organization he founded, Turning Point USA, at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. Authorities said Friday that a suspect in is in police custody, identifying the alleged shooter as 22-year-old Tyler Robinson.
Lawmakers learning about the news Wednesday on Capitol Hill broke out into an expletive-riddled shouting match on the House floor after a moment of silence was called for Kirk. After Rep. Lauren Boebert called for a verbal prayer, several Democrats called for gun control measures, which then prompted Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna to accuse Democrats of being responsible for the shooting, NOTUS reported.
“You fucking caused this,” Luna shouted, according to one lawmaker who was on the House floor.
Shortly after news of Kirk’s shooting broke, Rep. Nancy Mace told reporters that “Democrats own what happened today.” By Thursday morning Mace declared that she was cancelling all outdoor events for the foreseeable future.
“You’ll be murdered by a pro-tranny person if you speak out against them,” Mace said from the Capitol steps. “I do think a line was crossed yesterday and I’m very concerned for my safety.”
Mace said that since Kirk’s death she has asked police to patrol her district office and plans to start carrying a firearm everywhere she goes.
“I will have a firearm on my person all the time, and I will have security,” Mace continued.
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