AOC Assaulted on Capitol Steps by Right-wing Pervert

[AZLD4Candidate]

[JohnSJ]

1. Here is the story reported by Bloomberg. The Capital Police indicated it was inappropriate and

vulgar, but not illegal

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-07-14/ocasio-cortez-rips-capitol-police-for-inaction-against-harasser

[AZLD4Candidate]

3. Illegal or not, it was WAAAAAAAY over the line and indefensible.

Are we back to the days of catcalling women on the street?

[JohnSJ]

4. Sure, but what should they do? Unlike an actual death threat that was thrown at Jayapal,which is

a crime.

The question is when does speech become an actual threat where it is reasonable to believe they will be harmed by the person making the threats?

In my view, because of what happened on January 6th, at a very minimum, people making abusive statements to elected representatives, at a minimum need to be arrested for harassment, and charges increased from there to a a real perceived threat.

This is what happened with Jayapal:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100216927946

There are people, including the prosecutor who need to be fired because of that.

[AZLD4Candidate]

5. Sexual harassment is still sexual harassment.

[JohnSJ]

6. We agree

[rubbersole]

2. And that is why they are incels.

And will remain incels.

[J_William_Ryan]

7. "...when does speech become an actual threat..."

When the speaker advocates for imminent lawlessness or violence.

[BadgerMom]

8. I wonder if this is a typically twisted response to a peaceful protest

outside Morton’s and chalk on Sen. Collins’ sidewalk. I can hear the chatter on Fox now. “Well, she’s a public figure. Secretary Buttigieg said public figures are fair game.” Only, he emphasized safety for those public figures. He didn’t want physical assaults. Peaceful protests and this incident are not alike. However, I still believe the Republican authoritarians will defend these awful actions.

[femmedem]

9. The headline is misleading because she wasn't physically assaulted or touched.

From the Bloomberg article linked in an early reply:

The Capitol Police released a statement Thursday saying, “The comments, although inappropriate, are not criminal. In the video, the man never threatened or touched the Congresswoman. Out of an abundance of caution, our officers stopped the man and ran his information, which did not show any warrants.”

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-07-14/ocasio-cortez-rips-capitol-police-for-inaction-against-harasser

Outside of the workplace, there isn't a federal law against street harassment, and state laws vary. "In Washington, D.C., it is illegal to make "an obscene or indecent sexual proposal to a minor." It is also illegal to "engage in loud, threatening, or abusive language, or disruptive conduct that unreasonably impedes, disrupts, or disturbs" someone's use of public transportation." https://www.bustle.com/p/laws-against-catcalling-in-the-us-are-kind-of-a-mess-heres-what-they-entail-9983984

I agree with you that this incident was not a peaceful protest, but legally, the Capitol Police were correct in that it wasn't criminal.

[BlackSkimmer]

10. You're not a female, so you don't even realize how often this happens.

I’ve pretty much aged out of it, but it was a common thing for me, my friends, my cohort back in the day.

Sad to see it’s still happening, but really not surprised.