Jamaal Bowman & AOC’s Bronx Rally Filled With On Stage Antics & Anti-Semitism

Edited by: Fern Sidman

In a critical moment for embattled Democratic Representative Jamaal Bowman, a campaign rally intended to galvanize support in The Bronx’s St. Mary’s Park turned into a spectacle of unintended humor, according to a report that appeared on Sunday in The New York Post.  Joined by prominent members of the progressive wing, including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the event’s original purpose was eclipsed by viral clips of cringe worthy on-stage antics, casting a shadow over the intended political message.

We are not just fighting for Jamaal Bowman. We are fighting for American democracy.

The billionaire class cannot defeat us. pic.twitter.com/7nDcr72zDm

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) June 23, 2024

Representative Bowman, facing a challenging re-election bid, sought to rally his base by enlisting high-profile allies from the progressive left-wing faction of the Democratic Party, as was reported by The Post. The rally, held on a Saturday at St. Mary’s Park in the Mott Haven neighborhood, was meant to be a show of strength and unity. However, the event quickly garnered attention for reasons other than its political discourse.

Footage from the rally showcased Bowman and Ocasio-Cortez engaging in embarrassing on-stage behavior. The clips, which quickly spread across social media, depicted moments that appeared more reminiscent of a comedic performance than a serious political rally, The Post report observed. This unexpected turn of events provided the internet with ample material for humor and satire, overshadowing the rally’s intended political messages.

This Man is BAT Sh*** CRAZY

Congressman Jamaal Bowman needs to be admitted to a mental institution with AOC.

This is the most filthy, tacky , trashy elected official.

The Democrats are truly embarrassing!

Liberals literally elect some of the dumbest people on planet… pic.twitter.com/hPZ9vf1HrW

— Terrence K. Williams (@w_terrence) June 23, 2024

The event took a particularly bizarre turn when Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a fellow member of the progressive “Squad,” took to the stage. Kicking off her appearance with a dramatic performance to Cardi B’s song “Enough,” Ocasio-Cortez’s actions drew immediate attention. The Post reported that the song’s explicit lyrics blared over the PA system as she stomped around the stage, seemingly channeling the energy of a superstar rapper preparing to deliver a high-energy performance to an adoring crowd.

The lyrics, laden with explicit language and aggressive themes, played in stark contrast to the political nature of the rally:

“Hoes better lower they tone when they spittin’. Bitches is washed, soap on the dishes. I apply pressure like boa constrictors”

As the song continued, Ocasio-Cortez’s gyrations and fist-waving intensified. Indicated in The Post report was that she energetically bounded across the stage, waving her fists and dramatically removing her hair tie. In her enthusiasm, she even accosted the podium, shaking it so vigorously that the microphones briefly toppled over.

Bernie Sanders just said at the Jamaal Bowman rally that the “billionaire class… is not going to destroy American democracy.”

Bernie is a multimillionaire who owns four mansions.pic.twitter.com/jl2rhNCVSH

— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) June 22, 2024

One X (formerly Twitter) user quipped: “I think she took a bit too much of whatever they give Biden before events.” The Post reported that this video, shared by journalist Collin Rugg, had garnered nearly 5 million views, highlighting the extent of the online attention.

Ocasio-Cortez’s dramatic question to the crowd, “Are you ready to take the country back?!” aimed to rally the approximately 300 attendees. However, The Post report said that the modest-sized crowd and the rally’s overall tone raised questions about the effectiveness of such theatrical displays. Despite the progressive wing’s influence, the Democratic Party’s control of the White House and Senate for the past four years seemed at odds with the urgency implied by the rallying cry.

The level of profanity here is so shocking as to be unbecoming of a Member of Congress.

There is nothing in Jamaal Bowman’s unhinged tirade that remotely resembles the decency of the people I know and represent in the South Bronx. pic.twitter.com/IZZtgyffTv

— Ritchie Torres (@RitchieTorres) June 23, 2024

The rally’s shift from a serious political event to a viral spectacle illustrates the challenges faced by politicians in the age of social media. While the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, including figures like Bowman and Ocasio-Cortez, seeks to mobilize support through bold and unconventional means, the risk of unintended consequences looms large.

The viral nature of the rally’s antics underscores a broader question about the balance between entertainment and effective political communication. The Post report said that for Bowman, already struggling in his re-election campaign, the overshadowing of his message by on-stage antics could have significant repercussions. The event highlighted the fine line that politicians must navigate in their efforts to engage and inspire their base while maintaining a focus on substantive political discourse.

Trailing significantly behind moderate Democratic challenger George Latimer, Bowman’s rally was a desperate bid to close the gap in a district that spans southern Westchester County and a portion of The Bronx, The Post report said. Bowman, a two-term representative, finds himself in a precarious situation. He faces the very real danger of losing his seat, a scenario exacerbated by numerous controversies and oddball statements that have alienated some voters. His campaign, therefore, was banking on this rally to reignite enthusiasm among his base and swing undecided voters. Unfortunately, the rally may have done more harm than good.

On the rally stage, Bowman himself engaged in a series of bizarre and unorthodox actions. Footage circulated online showed Bowman, clad in a yellow t-shirt with rolled-up sleeves, grabbing a stool from the stage, waving it in the air, and slamming it down while leading the crowd in a chant of “Cease-fire now!, “  as was noted in The Post report. This performance was shared widely on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter) by Freedomnews.tv, highlighting the unconventional nature of his rally.

The Post also reported that another clip captured Bowman performing windmills with his arms to rally the crowd, jumping up and down, and shouting, “We gonna show them who the f–k we are!” The crowd responded with raucous applause, seemingly unfazed by the spectacle.

Adding to the controversy, Bowman made several explicit remarks targeting the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). As was described in The Post report, in a moment that drew significant attention, he declared, “We are gonna show f–king AIPAC the power of the motherf–king South Bronx,” a statement that resonated strongly with some attendees but also drew criticism for its coarse language and aggressive tone.

The rally continued to veer into the unconventional when Bowman led the crowd in chanting his own name, repeatedly shouting “Bowman! Bowman!” into the microphone and nodding in approval as the crowd joined in, the report in The Post said. This moment, intended to boost morale and create a sense of unity, instead came off as self-aggrandizing to some observers.

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders made a notable appearance, offering a stark contrast to the unrestrained antics of other speakers. Sanders, known for his steady and impassioned advocacy for progressive causes, described the upcoming primary election as “one of the most important” in modern American history, The Post report indicated.

Senator Sanders’ remarks at the rally were considerably more measured compared to those of Bowman and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Sanders’ calm and focused demeanor provided a brief respite from the otherwise chaotic atmosphere. He emphasized the critical nature of the election, calling on attendees to recognize the broader implications for the progressive movement and the country at large.

The rally’s viral moments have placed The Squad under intense scrutiny. The far-left House members, known for their bold and often controversial statements, now face heightened public and media attention. Some observers interpreted the frenetic energy at the rally as a sign of desperation. “Their futures are all in jeopardy, that’s why they appear to be panicked. Time is slipping away fast,” one commenter noted, according to The Post report.