A Diwali celebration in Seattle was disrupted on Saturday, November 7, after a group of far-right activists arrived at the venue carrying anti-Hindu and racist placards, triggering confrontations with festival attendees.
The protesters displayed slogans including “Deport All Dot Heads” and “Stop Hindu Replacement of Christians” at the Seattle Center Armory, where families had gathered to celebrate the festival. The activists were identified as conservative figures Jake Lang and Thomas Allen.
The slogans angered attendees, and the protesters were eventually escorted out of the venue. Videos of the incident circulated on social media, drawing condemnation from US lawmakers and Indian-American community organisations.
The term “dot heads” is a racial slur targeting people of South Asian origin, particularly Hindus. It refers to the bindi or tilak traditionally worn on the forehead. The second slogan echoed the so-called “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory, which falsely portrays the presence of minority communities as a threat to the dominant population.
Who Are Jake Lang and Thomas Allen?
Jake Lang has been active in far-right political circles and sought the Republican nomination for the US Senate in Florida in 2026, hoping to challenge incumbent Senator Ashley Moody. However, he did not qualify for the party’s August primary ballot.
His political campaign 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.
Lang heads an organisation called White Replacement and has used social media to promote anti-immigrant and anti-Hindu rhetoric.
Following the Seattle incident, Lang posted about the confrontation on X, claiming that he and other protesters had been assaulted by attendees. He also accused Hindus of helping Democrats turn Texas blue and used abusive language against the Hindu community.
Thomas Allen was also identified as one of the activists involved in the demonstration. However, available reports have not provided comparable details about his political background or organisational affiliations.
Pramila Jayapal Condemns Anti-Hindu Display
The incident drew a strong response from US Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, who condemned the demonstration as racist and said Hindu Americans should be able to celebrate their religious festivals without fear.
“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 said in a post on X.
Indian-American businessman and former White House adviser Ajay Jain Bhutoria also criticised the activists, describing their actions as an expression of hatred and bigotry.
“Targeting Hindu Americans and Indian immigrants with racial slurs and conspiracy rhetoric has no place in this country,” he said.
The Coalition of Hindus of North America (CoHNA) issued a community alert for Seattle and surrounding areas, stating that the activists had disrupted a Diwali celebration where children were performing. The organisation urged community members to remain vigilant and alleged that Lang and Allen had indicated plans to target other celebrations.