U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-New York, is not scheduled by Eastern Michigan University to visit campus on Friday, Oct. 16, despite some reports that she would host a rally to support Michigan U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed's campaign.
A news release shared with The Eastern Echo by El-Sayed's press team said Ocasio-Cortez would be hosting a rally. However, Brandy Barker, vice president of brand experience at EMU, said in an email there is no scheduled El-Sayed or Ocasio-Cortez event on campus.
"We can confirm there is no organized event with Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign or U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez at Eastern Michigan University," Barker wrote.
EMU Police Chief Matthew Lige told The Echo that with homecoming week festivities underway on campus, a campaign visit would pose scheduling and logistical challenges.
"We had a meeting about this over the weekend and the [university] president made a decision that she was not coming due to numerous scheduling conflicts across campus," Lige said. "It is not an active event that we are planning, just due to homecoming week and all the other stuff we have going on."
On Friday evening, EMU will host a parade starting at Ainsley at 6:15 p.m., followed by the Ignite the Night bonfire at the Intramural Fields. Friday's festivities serve as a pep rally leading into Saturday's homecoming tailgate and game, when the EMU Eagles take on the Toledo Rockets at 3 p.m.
The New York Times also reported that Ocasio-Cortez was expected in Ypsilanti Friday. Ocasio-Cortez, a prominent progressive political figure, endorsed El-Sayed during his primary bid and has continued support for his platform after he won the Democratic nomination in August. On Thursday, Oct. 15, El-Sayed and Ocasio-Cortez plan to make campaign stops throughout Michigan.
