Participants in a “fun run” organized by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in her Queens district Saturday did not know their registration fees went to the freshman New York Democrat’s campaign rather than her environmental agenda.
Runners who took part in the 5k through Astoria Park told the New York Post they believed each of their $30 ticket fees were going toward advancing the “Green New Deal” plan. She raised more than $11,000.
“It’s to help the environment. To support the Green New Deal,” one woman said. “It’s a good cause.”
“I think it’s really for this particular New Green Deal,” said one man. “No question.”
“The site says it’s to benefit her environmental plan,” said another person. “If it is going to go directly to her campaign they should have said so.”
Ocasio-Cortez’s Facebook page dubbed the post-Earth Day event as a way to give toward “U.S. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez & the Green New Deal.” Another website dubbed it as “a Family Fun Run supporting U.S. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s Green New Deal on the Saturday following Earth Day.”
At the starting line, Ocasio-Cortez, 29, told the 400 or so people people attending: “We’re getting together for our own health, for our planet’s health … and to fight for the Green New Deal together.”
The congresswoman’s spokesman, Corbin Trent, told the Post the event was a “campaign fundraiser.” One issue with the event is how it may have prompted participants who registered a child to break the law.
Children three years of age and up had to pay $20 each to take part in the 1k race. Parents cannot donate to campaigns by way of children. Half of the runners came from Ocasio-Cortez’s district, which covers the Bronx and Queens neighborhoods, while the other half were from further afield.
