A Florida councilman was asked to step down after posting anti-Indian American remarks on his social media.
Starting on Sept. 28, Palm Bay City Councilman Chandler Langevin posted repeated comments on his X account targeting Indians and Indian Americans. According to WESH 2, he wrote, “Deport every Indian immediately,” and “There’s not a single Indian that cares about the United States.”
“America for Americans,” he added.
A Palm Bay City Council meeting was held on Thursday to discuss Langevin’s posts. Thousands of residents and business leaders gathered to condemn the councilman’s remarks, with few taking his side. The council voted 4-1 to send a letter to Gov. Ron DeSantis asking for Langevin’s suspension, the Times of India said.
In response, the councilman posted on X, “In Brevard County and in other parts of Florida we have great patriotic Americans that happen to be of Indian heritage. I personally consider them Americans and my comments were not directed at them.”
“I stand by comments in regard to all forms of illegal immigration, and I believe that there are significant flaws in our immigration system that are working against Americans,” he continued.
Langevin was also removed from the Odyssey Charter School board, where he served on the board of directors.
On Sept. 30, according to Florida Today, the school posted on their Facebook, “to clarify personal comments by members of the Palm Bay community serving as Odyssey board members do not reflect the position of Odyssey Charter, Inc.”
Despite being removed from his positions, Langevin is not taking a step back.
He told WESH 2, before the council vote, the outcome does not matter. He said, “As far as resigning, you can vote for the letter tonight. I hope you do. It’s going to be worthless. I’m going to be here for another three years. Get used to it.”
Registration is closed for Common Ground: Building Together conference and gala award banquet in San Francisco on January 24. A shoutout to our planning committee: Jane Chin, Frank Mah, Jeannie Young, Akemi Tamanaha, Nathan Soohoo, Mark Young, Dave Liu, and Yiming Fu.
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