'Deport all dot heads': Diwali celebration in Seattle disrupted
What's the story
A Diwali celebration in Seattle was marred by a disruption from far-right activist Jake Lang and a group of protesters on Saturday. The group carried signs reading "Deport All Dot Heads," targeting the Indian-American community. Other signs read "Stop Hindu Replacement of Christians." The incident was met with resistance from attendees who physically intervened to stop Lang.
Online backlash
Lang's tirade against Hindus
After the incident, Lang took to social media platform X to share images of the disruption. He also launched an abusive tirade against Hindus, blaming them for turning Texas blue for the Democrats.
This incident has drawn widespread condemnation from prominent figures in the Indian-American community. US Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal called it a "racist display" and stressed that the Indian-American community should be able to celebrate Diwali without fear.
Community response
CoHNA slams disruption
Indian-American businessman Ajay Jain Bhutoria also slammed the incident as pure hate and bigotry. He emphasized that racial slurs against Hindus have no place in America.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) has also condemned the disruption and advised community members to stay vigilant during Diwali celebrations.
Lang leads an organization called White Replacement and was involved in the January 6, 2021, US Capitol attack.
Rising hate
Similar incident near Chicago
The Seattle disruption comes after a recent incident where another right-wing activist allegedly planned a mass shooting at a Hindu temple near Chicago.
Alexandros Paporakis, a 19-year-old suspect who professed Nazi ideology, was arrested for making threats against the temple.
Meanwhile, Washington State Governor Bob Ferguson celebrated Diwali at the state's Legislative Building with Indian Consul General and state Senator Manka Dhingra.