
Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO) sparked some backlash this week due to her attempt to defend the anti-Israel protests held across college campuses like Columbia University. The Missouri lawmaker tried to justify the protesters with her personal experience while she protested in Missouri’s Ferguson, claiming that she had seen protests get “infiltrated” by people to make them appear violent.
In a post to X, she wrote, “As a Ferguson activist, I know what it’s like to have agitators infiltrate our movement, manipulate the press, & fuel the suppression of dissent by public officials & law enforcement. We must reject these tactics to silence anti-war activists demanding divestment from genocide.”
As a Ferguson activist, I know what it’s like to have agitators infiltrate our movement, manipulate the press, & fuel the suppression of dissent by public officials & law enforcement.
We must reject these tactics to silence anti-war activists demanding divestment from genocide.
— Cori Bush (@CoriBush) April 23, 2024
It did not take long for some X users to point out to the lawmaker that the protests in Ferguson were based on a lie that 18-year-old Michael Brown had been murdered by police, despite overwhelming evidence that the teenager had been trying to attack officer Darren Wilson and snatch his gun.
Protesters had held on to their warped perception of the event and attacked police in the weeks following Brown’s death, destroying business and properties.
Senior advisor for policy and former White House director of speechwriting, Stephen Miller, commented on Bush’s tweet, pointing out what truly happened with Brown.
“Also a great reminder here that Officer Darren Wilson’s shooting was cleared by AG Eric Holder’s DOJ and Michael Brown was on recorded video strangling and shoplifting from a local Bodega owner,” he wrote.
Also a great reminder here that Officer Darren Wilson's shooting was cleared by AG Eric Holder's DOJ and Michael Brown was on recorded video strangling and shoplifting from a local Bodega owner. https://t.co/0rbaNZY4cg
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) April 23, 2024
He made another post, writing, “This is conspiratorial nonsense that would crumble under even the most basic questions from journalists. Now ask yourselves why journalists aren’t pressuring her for details on these claims.”
This is conspiratorial nonsense that would crumble under even the most basic questions from journalists.
Now ask yourselves why journalists aren't pressuring her for details on these claims. Cc @MarcACaputo https://t.co/0rbaNZXwmI
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) April 23, 2024
The account AG (@aghamilton29) tweeted, “Thanks for reminding everyone that you supported criminal riots, demanded defunding police so others don’t have protection from the rioting, and then used campaign funds (currently under DoJ investigation) to get security for yourself.”
Thanks for reminding everyone that you supported criminal riots, demanded defunding police so others don’t have protection from the rioting, and then used campaign funds (currently under DoJ investigation) to get security for yourself. https://t.co/nlVPZJ3HAp
— AG (@AGHamilton29) April 23, 2024
“She admits she was behind the Ferguson property damage. Why isn’t she in jail or being investigated? The J6 guys are in jail for less,” a user wrote.
She admits she was behind the Ferguson property damage. Why isn't she in jail or being investigated? The J6 guys are in jail for less. https://t.co/jxvO3kGVix
— Earwax Abe (@earwaxabe) April 23, 2024
“For years they boldly and proudly boasted the violence was not only justified, but necessary for their resistance movement. ‘Make people uncomfortable! Get in their faces!!’ Now that it’s out of their control and is hurting their cause, it’s, ‘No no! Those are INFILTRATORS,’” tweeted Chad Felix Greene.
For years they boldly and proudly boasted the violence was not only justified, but necessary for their resistance movement.
'Make people uncomfortable! Get in their faces!!'
Now that it's out of their control and is hurting their cause, it's, 'No no! Those are INFILTRATORS' https://t.co/ad3IO3Gnib
— Chad Felix Greene 🇮🇱 (@chadfelixg) April 23, 2024
Bush’s defense of the anti-Semitic protests on school campuses comes days after Rep. Ilhan Omar (R-MN) made a similar attempt to defend the protesters by claiming that the protesters are looking back because the protests had been “co-opted.”
“Throughout history, protests were co-opted and made to look bad so police and public leaders would shut them down. That’s what we are seeing now at Columbia University,” Omar, whose daughter was one of the protesters arrested at Columbia University, wrote on X.
“The Columbia protesters have made clear their demands and want their school not to be complacent in the ongoing Genocide in Gaza. Public officials and media making this about anything else are inflaming the situation and need to bring calmness and sanity back,” she added
Throughout history, protests were co-opted and made to look bad so police and public leaders would shut them down. That’s what we are seeing now at Columbia University. The Columbia protesters have made clear their demands and want their school not to be complacent in the ongoing…
— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) April 22, 2024
Like Bush, she was also met with backlash, as X users pointed out to her that there are video clips of the protesters chanting slogans that call for the genocide of Jews as well as the destruction of Israel.