Aiming to 'Build a Movement Across Borders,' Ocasio-Cortez and Corbyn Discuss Climate, Immigration, and Economic Justice

An extensive talk between the two progressive leaders highlighted a shared "hope in the peace, prosperity, and justice that everyday people can create when we uplift one another," Ocasio-Cortez said

by Julia Conley

Two popular progressive figures indicated that they'd formed a new alliance this weekend, as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) spoke extensively with Jeremy Corbyn, head of the U.K.'s Labour Party, about their shared commitment to push bold, forward-thinking proposals.

Corbyn thanked Ocasio-Cortez for "challenging the status quo" just a month into her first term in Congress following her surprise primary victory against 10-term, pro-business Democratic Rep. Joe Crowley.

The congresswoman has already started a substantive national dialogue about the need to tax the wealthiest Americans at a much higher rate, pushing a plan to tax all income over $10 million at 70 percent. In the U.K., Corbyn has called for a tax system which demands far more of the wealthiest five percent of Britons, promoting a plan that would create £6.4 billion ($8.3 billion) in revenue.

Corbyn expressed hope on Twitter that the conversation would be the beginning of a global conversation about "taking on the billionaires" and others who benefit from the current economic system.

Great to speak to @AOC on the phone this evening and hear first hand how she’s challenging the status quo.

Let’s build a movement across borders to take on the billionaires, polluters and migrant baiters, and support a happier, freer and cleaner planet.

— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) February 3, 2019

Ocasio-Cortez praised the conversation as a "wide-reaching" one which dealt with their ideas for "peace, prosperity, and justice that everyday people can create."

It was an honor to share such a lovely and wide-reaching conversation with you, @jeremycorbyn!

Also honored to share a great hope in the peace, prosperity, + justice that everyday people can create when we uplift one another across class, race, + identity both at home & abroad. https://t.co/7qnz42I8du

— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 3, 2019

The two progressives discussed the climate crisis and the need to invest in government services for the public as well as their joint condemnation of President Donald Trump's proposed wall at the U.S.-Mexico border, which Corbyn has said "undermines international law."

The conversation came two months after Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis unveiled Progressive International, a global movement aimed at uniting progressive leaders, advocates, and constituents all over the world in the fight for economic and social justice—battles that affect most of the global population while the richest amass exorbitant wealth.

"It is important that we build that sense of international connection," Corbyn told Varoufakis last year at the Edinburgh Book Festival.

Source, links:

https://www.commondreams.org/news/2019/02/04/aiming-build-movement-across-borders-ocasio-cortez-and-corbyn-discuss-climate