SEATTLE: Far-right activists disrupted a Diwali celebration attended by Indian families at the Seattle Center Armory on Saturday. As a dance performance was under way, Jake Lang and Thomas Allen walked to the front of the stage waving American flags and holding placards reading "Deport All Dot Heads" and "Stop Hindu Replacement of Christians". They were escorted out soon after.
Many families with children were at the event, and videos of the disruption spread widely on social media. Community groups said "Dot Heads" is a slur aimed at South Asians, particularly Hindus.
Condemnation
- US Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington said on X she was "beyond disgusted by this vile and racist display" and that such hate "has no place in our city or this country".
- Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi urged people to "stamp out this hate directed toward Hindus".
- Former White House adviser Ajay Jain Bhutoria called it "absolutely disgusting".
Community on alert
The Coalition of Hindus of North America urged vigilance, noting the activists had announced plans to disrupt other celebrations, and HinduPACT asked people to report suspicious or hateful activity to local police. Lang took part in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol and was pardoned by President Donald Trump in 2025. Police and the venue had not issued statements on the incident.
