Far-Right Activists Disrupt Seattle Diwali Celebration
Jake Lang and other far-right activists attempted to disrupt a Diwali festival in Seattle using racist slogans, prompting condemnation from U.S. lawmakers and community leaders.
Far-right activist Jake Lang and associate Thomas Allen attempted to disrupt a Diwali celebration at the Seattle Center Armory on November 7, 2026. The protesters carried placards with racist slogans, including "Deport All Dot Heads" and "Stop Hindu Replacement of Christians," during a dance performance by children. Attendees physically intervened to remove the protesters from the premises.
Following the incident, Lang posted on X claiming he was assaulted by "ANTIFA & HINDUS" while exercising First Amendment rights. He alleged that Hindus were responsible for Democratic victories in Texas during the midterm elections, which he claimed were rigged. Lang, who leads the organization White Replacement, was pardoned by President Donald Trump in 2025 after serving four years for his role in the January 6 Capitol attack. He has since called for a protest at the U.S. Capitol on January 3, 2027, to challenge the certification of the midterms.
U.S. lawmakers, including Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal and Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, condemned the disruption as a vile and racist display. The Coalition of Hindus of North America issued a community alert urging vigilance after Lang announced plans to disrupt further celebrations. These events occurred as President Donald Trump hosted Diwali celebrations at the White House and Washington Governor Bob Ferguson proclaimed the Sunday of that week as Diwali in Washington State.
In a separate incident, authorities arrested 19-year-old Alexandros Paporakis for plotting a mass shooting at a Hindu temple near Chicago.
