Riddhi Patel, Indian-American pro-Palestine protester, arrested for calling ‘Navratri a festival of oppressors’, threatening to ‘murder’ lawmakers

An Indian-American protester, Riddhi Patel (28), found herself in legal trouble after making severe threats towards a mayor and city council members during a council hearing in Bakersfield, California. Patel’s outburst came amidst discussions regarding the council’s stance on a ceasefire resolution concerning Israel and Gaza, coupled with increased security measures around government buildings due to ongoing anti-Israel protests.

Patel, who now faces 16 felony counts, voiced her frustration at the council’s lack of support for the ceasefire resolution, invoking figures like Mahatma Gandhi and Jesus Christ in her impassioned speech. In a viral video of her remarks, she accused the council of neglecting global oppression issues, particularly in Palestine, and criticized their indifference towards enhanced security measures.

“…You guys are all horrible human beings and Jesus probably would have killed you himself. And none of you care because you guys don’t care about anything happening in Palestine or any other country where oppression occurs and where oppression occurs. “You guys don’t care about the oppression happening here,” she said.

She also lashed out at the enhanced security measures at government buildings across the US following police crackdown on anti-Israel protests.

“…You guys, those who votes to win in Bakersfield, parade Gandhi around and a Hindu holiday called Chaitra Navaratri that starts off this week. I remind you that these holidays that we practice, that other people in the global south practice, believe in violent revolution against their oppressors,” she said.

“Patel added, “And I hope one day, somebody brings the guillotine and kills all of you m***********.”

Continuing her rant, Patel said those who were elected to office “would backstab you” and “leave you to die”. She claimed that anti-Israel protesters were being “criminalised with metal detectors”, and said, “We’ll see you at your house, we’ll murder you,” directing her threats at Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh and the city council members.

“In the last five years I’ve attended city council meetings there’s never been metal detectors, there’s never been more cops. The only reason you’re doing it is because people actually don’t care if you guys don’t like them and they’re actually resisting so you want to criminalise them,” she further said.

As Patel walked away from the podium after her remarks, Goh gestured to the police officers present inside the hall and called out the Indian-American woman for her threats.