A staff member who once worked on U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (D-NY) campaign is now facing serious charges after allegedly posting a threatening message on social media that targeted a public high school in New York City.Iman Abdul, 27, a former youth organizer for Ocasio-Cortez, was arrested by the New York Police Department (NYPD) after her post drew significant attention, both for its disturbing nature and the affiliations it suggested.Abdul's controversial post, which she shared on Instagram, included a screenshot of the location of Leon M. Goldstein High School for the Sciences in Manhattan Beach on Google Maps, along with a caption that read: “If anyone needs a public school in NYC to attack for whatever reason … Lexus driving Israhell (sic) loving Zionisits (sic) all attend here.”

The post, which was later deleted, caught the eye of a number of Abdul’s followers, about 25,000 at the time. In the post, Abdul added further inflammatory comments, referring to the Birthright program, which offers free 10-day trips to Israel for Jewish young adults, by stating, “They’ve all gone on ‘Birthright.’”This post, which many interpreted as a call to target the school due to its Jewish population, quickly garnered the attention of multiple activist groups and government agencies.The nature of the threat raised alarms due to its potential for inciting violence, particularly given its explicit call for harm directed at a Jewish community. The post was deleted after it had been shared by Abdul, but not before it had been seen and reported by a number of concerned individuals.On Friday, Abdul was taken into custody by the NYPD at her Brooklyn residence. She was charged with making a terroristic threat, acting in a manner injurious to a child, aggravated harassment, and making a threat of mass harm. The charges stem from the alarming nature of her post and the potential danger it posed to the safety of individuals at the school, especially the students and faculty associated with the Jewish community.Abdul’s history reveals her previous involvement in progressive politics, as well as her ties to prominent left-wing causes. In 2018, she worked as a youth organizer for Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s campaign during the Democratic Party primary.Abdul also worked as a paid canvasser for State Senator Julia Salazar’s campaign in Brooklyn during that same year. Ocasio-Cortez’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding Abdul’s arrest and the charges brought against her, but the connection to one of the most prominent progressive figures in American politics only added fuel to the fire surrounding the case.Abdul’s involvement in political activism has extended beyond the campaign trail. She was previously a director at IntegrateNYC, a youth-led organization that advocates for desegregation in New York City schools.Abdul also described herself in 2019 as a student at City College of New York, where she majored in childhood education, sociology, and Latino studies. This combination of academic interests and political activism positioned Abdul as an influential figure in the progressive movement, particularly on issues related to public education and racial justice. However, this arrest has overshadowed her previous work and placed her at the center of an intense public debate.The post that sparked the charges was not only inflammatory but also drew immediate condemnation from various groups that monitor antisemitism and hate speech. Tova Plaut, a Department of Education staffer and activist, expressed outrage over the post.“A map. A pin. A call to harm Jews, fellow New Yorkers, children, teachers. This isn’t just dangerous. It’s evil. Jew-hatred doesn’t stop with a threat. It escalates. We need immediate and unequivocal action,” Plaut said in an interview with the New York Post.Her remarks highlighted the severity of the incident, particularly as it involved a public school, a place where children should be safe from hate and violence.The attention from activist groups such as StopAntisemitism was swift and critical. The organization shared the post on X (formerly Twitter) and condemned Abdul’s actions, accusing her of inciting violence against Jews.“This incitement against Jews, specifically minor children, must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” the group stated. They called for a full investigation and swift legal action to ensure that those who make such threats are held accountable.The NYPD responded quickly to the threat. Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed that the department’s intelligence unit was alerted to the post shortly after it was shared. Investigators were able to trace the post back to Abdul’s Brooklyn home, where she was arrested.The NYPD has emphasized that it takes threats of this nature extremely seriously, particularly when they target schools or other places where young people are present.Abdul’s response to the investigation, as reported by the New York Post, suggested she did not fully comprehend the gravity of her remarks. In a direct message, Abdul defended her post, stating that she never explicitly called for an attack on the school in terms of a mass or organized assault.“I never called for an attack on the school in the sense of mass organization or not even individual people attacking individuals, that’s literally stupid,” Abdul wrote. “I called for an attack on the school, the Zionist institution funded by our public dollars … we have every right to verbally attack the school.”Abdul’s defense only deepened the concerns surrounding her post. By suggesting that her remarks were meant to attack an institution rather than an individual, she seemed to minimize the potential harm her words could cause.Critics, including Jewish advocacy groups, have strongly condemned this justification, stressing that words like these could encourage violence or lead to dangerous consequences.In the wake of her arrest, Abdul deleted both her Instagram and LinkedIn accounts. This move has further complicated the narrative surrounding her actions, as many wonder why she would choose to delete her social media profiles after making such a high-profile post.Her apparent attempt to distance herself from the controversy may indicate an understanding of the severity of her situation, but it has also raised questions about her motives and whether she intended for her words to have more significant consequences.The incident has also fueled an ongoing conversation about the rise of antisemitism in the United States, particularly on college campuses and within activist circles.Moshe Spern, the president of United Jewish Teachers, commented on the growing concerns about hate speech in academic and activist environments. “This kind of hate stems from years of indoctrination from CUNY and NYC schools – it isn’t born overnight,” Spern said, drawing attention to the broader issue of how hate speech and extremist ideologies can permeate educational and activist communities.As the legal process unfolds, Abdul faces serious charges that could have long-lasting consequences for her future. If convicted, she could face substantial legal penalties, including jail time, for her actions.The case has raised important questions about the limits of free speech, particularly when it comes to inciting violence or threatening harm. It has also highlighted the challenges of addressing hate speech in the digital age, where social media posts can quickly spread to large audiences and incite real-world consequences.The arrest of Iman Abdul is a reminder that the line between free expression and harmful rhetoric is often difficult to navigate. As the investigation progresses, it will be critical to examine the context in which these threats were made and whether they were part of a broader pattern of extremist behavior.What is clear is that the case has sparked widespread outrage, particularly from those who view it as part of a larger issue of rising hate against Jewish communities in the United States.As the legal and social fallout continues, it will be essential to ensure that justice is served while also addressing the underlying issues of extremism and hate that contributed to this disturbing incident.