Every seat in the room was full when AOC took the stage. Photo by Anna Dovzhenko.
JACKSON HEIGHTS, NY, MAY 2, 2025
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) hosted a town hall meeting in Jackson Heights for voters in New York’s 14th congressional district. She spoke about immigration, the Trump administration’s actions, and gave district updates. Ocasio-Cortez also answered the audience’s questions about a casino proposal for the area near Citi Field, the commute from Queens to the Bronx, and the impact of the tariff on consumers.
She began by talking about immigration. “They think everyone undocumented is a criminal,” she said. She pointed out that the Trump administration has made documented people undocumented by canceling Temporary Protected Status (TPS) programs for Venezuelans, Haitians, Ukrainians and other immigrant groups granted this status because of violence and political repression in their home countries.
The evening drew a diverse crowd, different races, different ages, and some brought their kids. Everyone waited to get in and formed two lines outside the Joseph Pulitzer Magnet School of Innovation and Applied Learning. The line for AOC’s constituents stretched down the block and around the corner. They had a priority to enter first. Another line, slightly smaller, was
for the guests from different neighborhoods.
While the crowd waited to get it in, activists offered them brochures on topics, including youth suicide prevention, women’s health services, and a call to act against casino construction in Queens.
One of many flyers handed out while people waited on line. Photo by Anna Dovzhenko.
There was also an anti-AOC protestor. As the line began to move a woman shouted, “The Democratic party is a bunch of snakes!”
She called the Democratic party an essential part of fascism. The protester was booed by the crowd and later, inside, she shouted during the representative’s presentation and was eventually escorted away.
Inside, there were so many people that a separate room was opened for the overflow crowd with a monitor that showed the meeting in the main room.
Overflow room had a monitor and people were able to ask questions. Photo by Anna Dovzhenko
During the town hall, Representative Ocasio-Cortez criticized the Trump administration for what she called unprecedented data sharing between the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She called it dangerous for everyone.
“Use it or lose it,” she said, encouraging people to participate in her upcoming “Know your Rights” seminar.
Constituents asked questions about air quality, and how Democrats can resist Trump’s policies. They also worried about air quality and the environment in Queens. Some wanted her to talk about the proposed casino. But Congresswoman Ocasio-Cortez explained that she couldn’t vote on the casino proposal since the state senate decides that question. But she explained that she did not support it. “I’m just uncomfortable with bringing gambling in, on a personal level,” she said.
People seemed happy and Ocasio-Cortez received a round of applause every time she finished a thought and gave her point of view. In the end she introduced her staff to her constituents and suggested that people who have additional questions or problems reach out to her office for help.
