World · North America · 9 hrs ago
Activists disrupt Deepavali celebrations in Seattle
Jake Lang and Thomas Allen disrupted a Deepavali celebration in Seattle on November 7, carrying anti-immigrant signs.
Their placards called for deporting people of South Asian heritage and warned of a supposed Hindu replacement of Christians.
The activists were escorted out of the event at Seattle Center Armoury, where a dance performance was taking place.
The celebration was part of Seattle Center Festal, a series of free cultural festivals that draws about 400,000 visitors a year.
U.S. lawmakers and community leaders condemned the display as racist and said people should be able to celebrate their heritage safely.
Community groups warned that activists had announced plans to disrupt other celebrations and urged people to stay vigilant and report suspicious or hateful activity to local law enforcement.
Conservative activists led by Jake Lang disrupted Deepavali celebrations at Seattle Center on November 7, 2026, carrying anti-immigrant and anti-Hindu slogans.
Lang and fellow activist Thomas Allen were escorted out of the event.
U.S. lawmakers and community leaders condemned the disruption.
Organisers and advocacy groups urged community members to stay vigilant as activists had announced plans to disrupt other celebrations.
- Who
- Conservative activists Jake Lang and Thomas Allen disrupted the celebration.
- What
- They carried placards calling for deportations and opposing what they called Hindu replacement of Christians.
- When
- November 7, 2026.
- Where
- Seattle Center Armoury, Seattle.
- Why
- The activists carried slogans opposing immigration and Hindu influence; the sources do not state a fuller explanation.
Conservative activists
U.S. lawmakers and community leaders
Slogans
Conservative activists
The activists displayed signs saying “Deport All Dot Heads” and “Stop Hindu Replacement of Christians.
U.S. lawmakers and community leaders
Lawmakers and community leaders called the display racist and hateful.
Right to celebrate
Conservative activists
The activists disrupted the event during a dance performance.
U.S. lawmakers and community leaders
Community leaders said people should be able to celebrate their heritage freely and safely.
U.S. President Donald Trump lit the traditional diya at the Oval Office, and Washington Governor Bob Ferguson joined Deepavali celebrations at the Indian Consulate General in Seattle.
Lang and Allen disrupted a Deepavali celebration at the Seattle Center Armoury during a dance performance.
The activists were escorted out of the celebration.
U.S. lawmakers and community leaders condemned the incident, and advocacy groups urged vigilance.
- Activists
- Jake Lang and Thomas Allen
- Event date
- November 7, 2026
- Venue
- Seattle Center Armoury, Seattle
- Placard slogan
- Deport All Dot Heads
- Festival series
- Seattle Center Festal includes 25 free cultural festivals and draws about 400,000 visitors annually
What people are saying
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,
Targeting Hindu Americans and Indian immigrants with racial slurs and conspiracy rhetoric has no place in this country. We stand against this racism and for the right of every American to celebrate their heritage freely,
We condemn such actions and advise community members to stay vigilant while celebrating Diwali, as these activists have announced plans to disrupt other celebrations,
This is as heartbreaking as the Hindutva mobs that harass Christians in India on Christmas, forcing church congregations to say 'Jai Shri Ram' at the threat of violence,