Florida politician faces backlash over calls for mass deportation of Indians | Florida
A city council member in Florida is facing backlash from national Indian American organizations, members of Congress and local residents after posting a series of social media messages insulting Indians living in the United States and calling for their mass deportation.
Palm Bay council member Chandler Langevin, who was elected last year, made derogatory comments about Indian people in various posts on social media platform X for nearly three weeks this fall. He claimed that Indians came to America to “empty our pockets” before returning to India, “or worse… to stay.”
His words sparked widespread outrage. Since September 29, residents, along with regional and national Indian American groups, have crowded Palm Bay city council meetings and demanded his resignation.
On Thursday night, the council voted 3-2 to formally reprimand Langevin. Mayor Rob Medina, who also serves on the council, said at the meeting: “We’re all overwhelmed with everything. This nation was founded on immigrants… We’re all part of our flag, our flag, the fabric of the United States of America.”
Hindus for Human Rights, a national advocacy organization, issued a statement. letter He called the statements “blatantly bigoted, inhumane and dangerous” and called on Republican governor Ron DeSantis to remove Langevin from office.
“If your office fails to act decisively, it would set a dangerous precedent: legitimizing hate speech by elected officials and normalizing hostility toward minority communities,” the letter added.
The Asian American Hotel Owners Association also strongly condemned the statements, saying at a council meeting earlier this month that they “reflect some of the darkest rhetoric in history, drawing disturbing parallels with the language of hate that has led to violence and cruelty across America.”
Many Democratic politicians, as well as Florida Republicans such as Rep. Mike Haridopolos and Sen. Rick Scott, also spoke out against Langevin’s comments.
Rick Lacey, Brevard County’s Republican party chairman, said in a speech: “The Brevard Republican Party does not condone or share Mr. Chandler Langevin’s stance on the Indian community and culture in our county.” expression. “Although Mr. Langevin is a registered Republican, his views are his own and his alone.”
Florida’s Democratic party chairwoman, Nikki Fried, also released a statement. expressionsaid: “Chandler Langevin’s comments towards the Native American community are despicable and reprehensible. The people of Palm Bay deserve better leadership from someone who proudly flaunts his hateful ignorance with divisive and racist rhetoric.”
To talk Washington Post Earlier this week, Langevin said his goal was to inflame the “discourse” on immigration. “I’m not the first Republican to send a bad tweet,” he said.
