Washington, Nov 8 (PTI) Conservative activists led by Jake Lang stormed Diwali celebrations in Seattle carrying placards calling for deporting all “dot heads”, an act that was swiftly condemned by US lawmakers and community leaders.
Lang and fellow activist Thomas Allen waved the American flag and carried placards with slogans “Deport All Dot Heads” and “Stop Hindu Replacement of Christians” in front of a stage where a dance performance was being held on Saturday.
Videos of the storming of the Diwali celebrations in Seattle went viral on social media.
The activists were soon escorted out of the Diwali celebrations at the Seattle Center Armoury which was part of Seattle Center Festal, a series of 25 free cultural festivals that collectively draw about 400,000 visitors annually.
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal said she was “beyond disgusted” at the vile and racist display.
“I am beyond disgusted by this vile and racist display. Diwali is an important holiday and our community should feel safe to celebrate it. This hateful display has no place in our city or this country,” Jayapal, the Congresswoman from Washington, said in a post on X.
Former White House advisor Ajay Jain Bhutoria said the actions of Lang and Allen were “absolutely disgusting.”
“Targeting Hindu Americans and Indian immigrants with racial slurs and conspiracy rhetoric has no place in this country. We stand against this racism and for the right of every American to celebrate their heritage freely,” Bhutoria said in a post on X.
The disruption by the far-right activists came a day after US President Donald Trump lit the traditional diya at the Oval Office and Washington Governor Bob Ferguson joined the Diwali celebrations at the Indian Consulate General in Seattle.
“Washington state is proud to be home to one of the largest communities of Indian Americans in the country. During the previous decade, we had the fastest-growing Indian American population in the entire country. And we have seen this community contribute so much to our state,” Ferguson said. PTI SKU GRS GRS
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