Socialist Alternative & I send solidarity to my fellow left & socialist elected representatives, Congressmembers Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, Bush, Squad who've faced serious threats in recent weeks, only to be met with right-wing gaslighting & dismissal of their very legitimate fears.

The armed attack on the Capitol has emboldened reactionary elements nationally. Four years of Trump’s presidency have also provided cover for the far right out into the mainstream. Now we are seeing elected socialists becoming the targets of some of their most virulent threats.

AOC in testimony recently described how she was forced to hide in a bathroom stall fearing for her life, only to be met with belittling accusations at the hands of Republican Congressmembers as they shamefully downplayed the severity of a far right attempted coup.

This is of course reflective of both their right-wing politics and sexist attitudes, but also the incredible cowardice of these corporate politicians who try to slither out of responsibility for the Capitol attack as they use Trump's voter base to try to prop up their careers.

These threats by the right wing on socialists are absolutely serious. Unfortunately, my socialist Council office has also been forced to deal with escalating threats, while the corporate media, police, city establishment ignore or make light of this dangerous situation.

I believe it is important for the socalist and labor movement nationally to be united both against such attacks, and also in firmly and publicly rejecting these deeply sexist and racist suggestions that exposing threats to the left is hysterical or hypocritical.

Such unity is paramount precisely because these threats are attempts to demoralize working people and movements. Just as the far right was defeated in Boston in 2017 when over 40,000 people marched in solidarity, so the labor movement must reject the putrid rhetoric of the right.

We also urgently need to fight for Medicare for All, a Green New Deal jobs program funded by taxing Wall Street, and a federal $15/hour minimum wage, cancelling all COVID debt for working people.

To win, we cannot rely on the Democratic establishment, but most build independent, fighting mass movements. Organizing working people around popular demands will help the left provide a real alternative to corporate politics & cut across right populism.

Solidarity & stay safe.