A Diwali celebration in Seattle, Washington, was disrupted on November 7 after a group of far-right activists arrived at the venue carrying anti-Hindu and racist placards. The demonstration triggered tensions among festival attendees, with the protesters eventually being escorted out of the premises.
The incident took place at the Seattle Center Armory, where families had gathered to celebrate Diwali. Among the slogans displayed by the activists were “Deport All Dot Heads” and “Stop Hindu Replacement of Christians.” The messages sparked anger among attendees and drew widespread criticism after videos of the confrontation circulated on social media.
The phrase “dot heads” is considered a racial slur directed at people of South Asian origin, particularly Hindus. It refers to the traditional bindi or tilak worn on the forehead. The second slogan reflected the so-called “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory, which falsely suggests that minority communities are replacing the dominant population.
Who Are Jake Lang and Thomas Allen
The activists involved in the demonstration were identified as Jake Lang and Thomas Allen. Lang is known for his involvement in far-right political circles and his anti-immigrant and anti-Hindu rhetoric on social media.
He leads an organisation called White Replacement and sought the Republican nomination for the US Senate in Florida in 2026. However, he failed to qualify for the party's August primary ballot, where he had hoped to challenge incumbent Senator Ashley Moody.
Lang's political activities followed his release from federal custody after US President Donald Trump pardoned him and other defendants charged in connection with the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol.
Following the Seattle Diwali incident, Lang posted about the confrontation on X, claiming that protesters had been assaulted by festival attendees. He also accused Hindus of helping Democrats turn Texas into a Democratic-leaning state and directed abusive comments towards the Hindu community.
Thomas Allen was also identified as participating in the demonstration. However, available reports have not provided similar details about his political background or organisational connections.
Pramila Jayapal Condemns the Incident
The demonstration attracted criticism from US Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, who strongly objected to the racist messages displayed at the Diwali celebration. She said Hindu Americans should have the freedom to observe their religious festivals without facing discrimination or intimidation.
In a statement shared on X, Jayapal described the demonstration as a hateful and racist display, adding that such behaviour had no place in Seattle or the United States.
Indian-American businessman and former White House adviser Ajay Jain Bhutoria also criticised the incident. He said targeting Hindu Americans and Indian immigrants through racial insults and conspiracy-based messaging was unacceptable.
Meanwhile, the Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) issued a community alert for Seattle and nearby areas. The organisation said the demonstration had interrupted a Diwali celebration where children were performing and urged community members to remain alert.
CoHNA also alleged that Lang and Allen had indicated intentions to target other celebrations, raising concerns among members of the Indian-American and Hindu communities.
The incident has brought renewed attention to concerns surrounding anti-Hindu discrimination, racial hostility and the safety of religious and cultural celebrations in the United States.
