Seattle Diwali Celebration Disrupted by Far-Right Activists: Community Outrage Ensues
Disturbance at Diwali Festivities
Washington: A group of conservative activists, led by Jake Lang, disrupted Diwali celebrations in Seattle, brandishing signs that called for the deportation of individuals they derogatorily referred to as 'dot heads.' This incident has drawn swift condemnation from lawmakers and community leaders across the United States.
Lang, along with fellow activist Thomas Allen, waved the American flag while displaying placards with messages such as 'Deport All Dot Heads' and 'Stop Hindu Replacement of Christians' near a stage where a dance performance was taking place on Saturday.
Footage of the incident quickly spread across social media platforms, sparking outrage.
The activists were promptly removed from the Seattle Center Armoury, where the Diwali event was part of the Seattle Center Festal, a series of 25 cultural festivals that attract around 400,000 visitors each year.
Lang is affiliated with a group known as 'White Replacement' and was previously involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. He served a four-year prison sentence and was later pardoned by former President Donald Trump on the first day of his second term in 2025.
Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal expressed her disgust at the incident, stating, 'I am beyond disgusted by this vile and racist display. Diwali is a significant holiday, and our community should feel safe celebrating it. Such hateful actions have no place in our city or country.'
Ajay Jain Bhutoria, a former White House advisor, described the actions of Lang and Allen as 'absolutely disgusting,' emphasizing that targeting Hindu Americans and Indian immigrants with racial slurs is unacceptable.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) condemned the actions and urged community members to remain vigilant during Diwali celebrations, as these activists have indicated plans to disrupt future events.
Sunita Vishwanath, co-founder of Hindus for Human Rights, remarked that the anti-immigrant sentiment has escalated into anti-Hindu hostility, exemplified by the disruption of a Diwali celebration in Seattle.
She drew parallels between this incident and the harassment faced by Christians in India, stating, 'If we are appalled by this hateful behavior of right-wing Christians towards Hindus, we must also be equally outraged by the violence that Indian Christians endure from right-wing Hindus.'
HinduPACT, an advocacy group, urged the Hindu community to stay alert and report any suspicious or hateful activities to local authorities.
This disruption occurred just a day after Trump participated in a Diwali lighting ceremony at the Oval Office, and Washington Governor Bob Ferguson attended the Diwali celebrations at the Indian Consulate General in Seattle.
Governor Ferguson highlighted the significance of the Indian American community in Washington, noting, 'Our state is proud to host one of the largest Indian American populations in the nation, which has seen remarkable growth and contributions over the past decade.'