Latest news with #AlexandriaOcasio-Cortez
New York Post
18 hours ago
- Politics
- New York Post
Gaza's growing hunger crisis: Letters to the Editor — July 30, 2025
The Issue: A starvation crisis in Gaza due to lack of access to food deliveries. How is this our problem ('Prez: Focus on getting Gazans fed,' July 29)? Palestinians attacked Israel, raped, tortured and murdered countless civilians and still hold hostages. In retaliation, Israel attacked them. Advertisement When food shortages came, many nations sent food only to have it stolen by the cowards of Hamas, who are starving their own people. To make it a total joke, the people of Gaza are taking the side of Hamas and condemning the countries who are trying to help them. Maybe if Palestinians in Gaza would fight for their families instead of being cowards, they could defeat Hamas. Storm Destro Advertisement Bayonne, NJ It's time to bring the abundance of the United States, particularly in regard to food, to feed the starving people of Gaza. We have the food wealth and the means to feed every Palestinian suffering from lack of food and water; all we lack is the political and moral will to do what's right. S.K. Jona Advertisement Tucson, Ariz. Why does the US news refuse to condemn the abject slaughter and forced starvation of Gazans by the Israeli government? The so-called Gaza Humanitarian Foundation run by Americans and Israel is a disgraceful sham. Even independent aid ships attempting to reach Gaza have been blocked in another glaring example of Israel's sadistic ruthlessness. Advertisement If we Americans don't protest en masse, this moral degradation will only hasten the collapse of our nation. Sid Sussman Hallandale, Fla. Ending the tenure of Hamas is certainly one of the requirements for ending Gaza hunger and any conflict in the Middle East ('End Gazan Hunger by Ending Hamas,' Editorial, July 29). Palestinians have passed on several two-state opportunities since 1948. In any negotiation where one party is rejecting proposals, the only possible way to reach an agreement is with a proposal from the disagreeing party. Palestinians must define what they want, and Israel must be party to any settlement. Hamas, a terrorist organization that has surrendered all legitimacy as representative of its people, must be excluded. Larry Sylvester Advertisement Acton, Ontario, Canada Israel recently announced that its military will pause fighting for 10 hours each day in order to allow more food aid into the most heavily bombarded areas. Is that the best that Benjamin Netanyahu can do to alleviate a humanitarian crisis — ensure that fewer people will be blown away on an empty stomach? Vin Morabito Advertisement Scranton, Pa. The Issue: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez violating House ethics rules for her 2021 Met Gala look. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said 'let them eat cake' when she got gussied up for the 2021 Met Gala ('Gown & out $3,000,' July 26). True to form, AOC — who urges sleep-walking Dems to do as she says and not as she does — flouted House ethics rules by accepting gifts marked down to bargain-basement levels. Advertisement For us straphanging working stiffs, nothing but a spoonful of truth will help this elitist medicine go down. Ron Spurga Manhattan Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez chronically places her foot in her mouth, and many of us cringe whenever she is presented as the people's hero. Advertisement She is a source of embarrassment for a majority of us. Susan Cienfuegos New Rochelle Get opinions and commentary from our columnists Subscribe to our daily Post Opinion newsletter! Thanks for signing up! Enter your email address Please provide a valid email address. By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Never miss a story. Check out more newsletters What's the phrase AOC says morning, noon and night? Now I remember: Pay your fair share. Her hypocrisy is breathtaking. Jake McNicholas Whitestone Want to weigh in on today's stories? Send your thoughts (along with your full name and city of residence) to letters@ Letters are subject to editing for clarity, length, accuracy, and style.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
‘Market of sweethearts': Frustration grows over sex trafficking crisis in NYC district; AOC missing in action
Frustration is boiling over in Queens, where residents, business owners, and civic leaders are accusing representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of ignoring worsening conditions along Roosevelt Avenue, a stretch now infamous for rampant prostitution, illegal vending, and growing gang activity. 'I have not personally seen Ocasio-Cortez since she's been elected. I have not seen her in the community,' these were the words of Rosa Sanchez, president of the Restore Roosevelt Avenue Coalition. 'I have seen her in a parade — that's it.' Locals say they've been pleading for help as their community, the infamous 'Market of Sweethearts,' spirals into disorder. They claim the congresswoman, who represents a portion of the troubled corridor, has been missing in action. Sanchez said the rise in unlicensed street vendors, some allegedly peddling stolen goods, has put law-abiding shopkeepers on the brink, while victims of sex trafficking are left to suffer without political support. 'You have young women held against their will. They're being sex trafficked. This is not normal,' she said. 'Our community is suffering,' she further told the New York Post. Despite a recent NYPD operation, called "Operation Restore Roosevelt," many believe the efforts were only temporary. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Unsold 2021 Cars Now Almost Free - Prices May Surprise You Unsold Cars | Search Ads Learn More Undo Though crime dipped 28% during the 90-day crackdown, residents say the relief didn't last. Within weeks of police scaling back, illegal vendors returned, and the familiar signs of lawlessness reappeared. Mauricio Zamora, leader of the Neighbors of the American Triangle, told the New York Post that the AOC has 'never' taken meaningful action on the area's core issues. After meeting with Ocasio-Cortez last Friday to discuss the crisis at Corona Plaza, Zamora claimed the congresswoman shifted the blame, saying that broader crime enforcement was the responsibility of the mayor, NYPD, and city officials. That response has not satisfied many in the community, especially when other lawmakers are seen taking more proactive stances. Bronx representative Ritchie Torres, for instance, has openly called on Mayor Eric Adams to clean up The Hub, another hotspot plagued by open-air drug use and prostitution. Many Queens residents say that they've simply never seen their representative. 'No, I have never seen AOC here. I've seen the local city councilman [Francisco Moya]. I've seen the police. I've never seen AOC,' said Jenny Leo, 54, a pharmacist on Roosevelt Avenue. Leo said the situation isn't worsening, but neither is it improving. David Ortega, manager at Bravo Supermarket, said, 'People are stealing meat and beer and laundry detergent. The police come and they take them outside,' he said. 'Two times recently the thieves tell me that they're going to wait for me when I leave. They're not afraid. It is not changing. It is the same.' He added, the AOC 'doesn't come here.' Concerns over gang activity are also escalating. Residents say migrant gangs have exploited the area, emboldened by a strained city infrastructure. In response, local leaders previously appealed to federal authorities, urging the FBI and Homeland Security to step in. Last month, federal officials announced charges against a migrant gang accused of running brothels, selling fake IDs and drugs, and assaulting rivals, all from a base of operations along Roosevelt Avenue. Prosecutors say the gang funnelled money to an illicit network in El Salvador. Former city councilman Hiram Monserrate, now an activist in East Elmhurst, believes more needs to be done, and quickly. 'We want our Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to use her platform to bring in more police officers to stabilize the area. We want our community back,' he said. Monserrate credited the NYPD for the temporary drop in crime but warned that reduced enforcement has left the corridor exposed again. He also called for the return of the 100 state troopers that Governor Kathy Hochul deployed last autumn to support the NYPD. 'We need them back,' he urged. Ocasio-Cortez's team defended her record, saying the congresswoman is 'focused on solutions not credit.' In a post on social media platform X, Ocasio-Cortez said, 'Happy to be back in Corona Plaza to continue our team's conversations with vendors and local business owners about our coordinated efforts to make Roosevelt Avenue a safer and cleaner place.' Spokeswoman Karla Santillan cited Ocasio-Cortez's efforts to fix streetlights, clean up Corona Plaza, and improve sanitation, noting her participation in a community meeting last week. 'The congresswoman is focused on solutions not credit. She has done multiple cleanups of the plaza on the other side, and on the official side has worked with DOT to fix street lights and improve sanitation,' said Santillan.
New York Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
AOC ripped as her NYC district is overrun by 'Market of Sweethearts'
Queens residents, merchants and civic leaders blasted US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for being missing in action in the fight to clean up the infamous 'Market of Sweethearts'. Locals along the Roosevelt Avenue corridor have begged for help as the area has been plagued by rampant prostitution and illegal street vendors — fueled in part by gangs who got a foothold in the area due to the city's migrant crisis. 'I have not personally seen Ocasio-Cortez since she's been elected. I have not seen her in the community,' said Rosa Sanchez, president of the Restore Roosevelt Avenue Coalition. 'I have seen her in a parade — that's it.' Advertisement 4 Queens residents and local leaders blasted Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for not working to clean up the infamous 'Market of Sweethearts' and other issues in her district. REUTERS/Ken Cedeno Part of the avenue is in the heart of the district that the high-profile Democrat represents in the US House of Representatives, while part of the neighborhood crosses into Rep. Grace Meng's district. Despite efforts of the NYPD and the city to clean up the troubled corridor, illegal vendors and merchants still have a foothold — sometimes peddling items stolen from local stores, locals said. Sanchez said the unlicensed vendors are putting legitimate merchants out of business while young women forced into sex work who are getting no help from politicians. Advertisement 'You have young women held against their will. They're being sex trafficked. This is not normal,' said Sanchez. 'Our community is suffering.' Mauricio Zamora, head of the Neighbors of the American Triangle, said AOC has 'never' been helpful on the area's biggest problems as residents and businesses try to take Roosevelt back. Zamora met with Ocasio-Cortez last Friday about the illegal vending in Corona Plaza but he claimed the congresswoman said larger crime issues should be addressed by the mayor's office, the NYPD and city elected officials rather than her office. By comparison, Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres has led the charge and personally called on Mayor Eric Adams to clean up a notorious open-air drug market full of junkies and prostitutes in his district in the Bronx, called The Hub. Advertisement 4 Alleged sex workers seen on Roosevelt Avenue in Queens in the 'Market of Sweethearts' on July 27, 2025. New York Post The Post visited the Roosevelt Avenue neighborhoods again on Sunday — and immediately spotted prostitutes under the elevated No. 7 subway line. Twenty three residents and local merchants told a reporter they have never seen AOC in the neighborhood. 'No, I have never seen AOC here. I've seen the local city councilman [Francisco Moya]. I've seen the police. I've never seen AOC,' said Jenny Leo, 54, a pharmacist at Mi. Farmacia at 90-15 Roosevelt Ave. Advertisement 4 Illegal vendors on the sidewalk on 91st St. near Roosevelt Ave. in Queens on July 27, 2025. New York Post Leo said the situation along Roosevelt is 'not getting worse but it's not getting better either' after the police launched a targeted crackdown in the area for 90 days, part of Operation Restore Roosevelt. It's been a familiar story, with illegal vendors flooding the streets again about two weeks ago after the surge of law enforcement tapers off. David Ortega, 50, manager of nearby Bravo Supermarket, said little has changed. 'People are stealing meat and beer and laundry detergent. The police come and they take them outside,' Ortega said. 4 The street vendors often sell items shoplifted from local stores, according to residents. New York Post 'Two times recently the thieves tell me that they're going to wait for me when I leave. They're not afraid. It is not changing. It is the same.' Through it all, he said AOC 'doesn't come here.' Advertisement Local leaders sent letters to the Trump administration asking the FBI and Homeland Security to intervene and break up the migrant gangs and lawlessness on Roosevelt Avenue. Last month, the feds charged a gang of illegal migrants with extorting brothels, beating up rivals and selling drugs and phony IDs along Roosevelt Avenue to finance an illicit network based in El Salvador. Much more needs to be done and residents in the corridor could use AOC's help, said former Councilman Hiram Monserrate — a neighborhood activist who used to rep the area and resides in East Elmhurst. Advertisement 'We want our Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to use her platform to bring in more police officers to stabilize the area. We want our community back,' Monserrate said. Monserrate said the NYPD put a dent in the lawlessness during its 90-day Operation Restore Roosevelt operation. But the department scaled back its presence after the surge, he said. Crime dropped 28% amid beefed up police enforcement, the mayor said last month. Gov. Kathy Hochul last fall also dispatched 100 state troopers to assist the NYPD along Roosevelt. Advertisement 'We need them back,' Monserrate said, referring to a larger police presence. Ocasio-Cortez's rep on Sunday defended her advocacy to improve the quality of life along Roosevelt Avenue in Corona-East Elmhurst, particularly citing a meeting the congresswoman attended with constituents last Friday about the proliferation of vendors in and around Corona Plaza. 'The congresswoman is focused on solutions not credit. She has done multiple cleanups of the plaza on the other side, and on the official side has worked with DOT to fix street lights and improve sanitation,' said Ocasio-Cortez congressional spokeswoman Karla Santillan. Advertisement She referred The Post to AOC's statement on X about the meeting. 'Happy to be back in Corona Plaza to continue our team's conversations with vendors and local business owners about our coordinated efforts to make Roosevelt Avenue a safer and cleaner place,' Ocasio-Cortez said.
Epoch Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Epoch Times
House Ethics Panel Tells AOC to Pay Additional $3,000 for 2021 Met Gala
The House Ethics Committee has determined that Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) underpaid for services and gifts related to her high-profile appearance at the 2021 Met Gala, including the 'Tax the Rich' gown and a free ticket for her partner. In a report released Friday, the bipartisan, 10-member committee instructed Ocasio-Cortez to pay vendors $2,733.28 from her personal funds to cover the fair market value of goods she received. Additionally, it told her to pay $250 to compensate the Met for the meal provided to her then-boyfriend, Riley Roberts, who accompanied her to the event.
Toronto Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
House ethics panel tells Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to pay more for Met Gala attendance
WASHINGTON (AP) — The House Ethics Committee on Friday told Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to make additional payments for her attendance at the 2021 Met Fashion Gala, where she drew attention for wearing a dress adorned with the message 'tax the rich.' The ethics panel, which found the New York Democrat had underpaid for some of the services and clothing for the event, also issued reports Friday on unrelated ethics allegations against Reps. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick or Florida and Henry Cuellar of Texas.
