A Diwali celebration in Seattle was briefly disrupted on Saturday after far-right American activist Jake Lang and a group of protesters attempted to interrupt the festivities while carrying anti-Indian placards, triggering a confrontation with attendees.
Lang and the protesters were seen holding signs reading “Deport All Dot Heads” before some people at the event physically confronted them and prevented their attempt to disrupt the celebration.
Following the incident, Lang posted pictures on X and launched an abusive tirade targeting Hindus, accusing them of influencing electoral outcomes in Texas in favour of Democrats.
“We were just ASSAULTED by dozens of ANTIFA & HINDUS @ the Seattle Diwali Festival!!!! I guess they didn’t like our ‘Deport All Dot Heads’ sign!!! Hindus flipped Texas blue. ‘#$%’ them,” Lang wrote.
Lang heads an organisation called White Replacement and was among those who participated in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol. He spent four years in prison before being pardoned by President Donald Trump on the first day of his second presidency in January 2025.
We were just ASSAULTED by dozens of ANTIFA & HINDUS @ the Seattle Diwali Festival!!!!
I guess they didn’t like our “Deport All Dot Heads” sign!!! 🇮🇳✈️
Hindus flipped Texas blue. Fuck them. https://t.co/mS3oBdEAYZ
— Jake Lang – January 6 Political Prisoner 🇺🇸 (@JakeLang) November 8, 2026
The incident comes amid Diwali celebrations across the United States, including at the White House, where Trump recently hosted prominent Indian-American personalities, business leaders and members of his administration at the Oval Office.
The president participated in a ceremonial lighting of diyas during the celebrations and was also presented with a copy of the Hanuman Chalisa.
In Washington state, Gov. Bob Ferguson joined the Consulate General of India and state lawmakers for Diwali celebrations at the Legislative Building. Ferguson also proclaimed Sunday as Diwali, the Festival of Lights, in the state.
In a post on X, Ferguson highlighted the contributions of the Indian-American community, noting that Washington is home to one of the largest Indian-American populations in the country. He also pointed out that the state recorded the fastest growth in its Indian-American population during the previous decade.
Diwali festivities were also organised at the Washington State Capitol in Olympia, where state Sen. Manka Dhingra joined community members and leaders in celebrating the festival and recognising the cultural heritage and contributions of Indian Americans.
The Seattle incident also comes days after authorities arrested a 19-year-old man, identified as Alexandros Paporakis, over alleged threats against a Hindu temple near Chicago. Investigators said the suspect, who reportedly espoused Nazi ideology, had outlined a plan for a potential mass shooting at the place of worship.
Meanwhile, Lang has also questioned the results of the US midterm elections, alleging without evidence that the polls were rigged. Calling for a demonstration near the anniversary of the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, he announced plans for a protest in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 3, 2027.
“Christian Crusaders will descend upon the US Capitol in Washington DC to PROTEST the Certification of the RIGGED Midterms!!!!” Lang wrote on X.
His remarks followed Democratic victories in Texas, where James Talarico won the Senate race and Gina Hinojosa secured the governorship, marking a major political shift in a state long considered a Republican stronghold.
