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‘f*ck Hindu fascism’: Riddhi Patel, a leftist & infamous Hindu hater, while defending Palestinians threatened the city council members in California, “We’ll see you at your house, we’ll murder you,” later found sobbing after arrest with a $1 million bail

“You guys are all horrible human beings and Jesus probably would have killed you himself…,” she said during the course of her first speech.
 |  Satyaagrah  |  Woke
Who is Riddhi Patel? Indian-American Protestor Arrested for Threatening to 'Murder' Bakersfield City Council Members
Who is Riddhi Patel? Indian-American Protestor Arrested for Threatening to 'Murder' Bakersfield City Council Members

An Indian-American woman was apprehended inside the Bakersfield City Council chambers on Wednesday night. She was arrested for issuing threats to “murder” the members of the city council and the mayor. This serious incident unfolded during a heated council session.

Riddhi Patel, 28, an Indian-American protestor, found herself facing legal consequences after she vehemently threatened the mayor and other council members. Her alarming threats were made during a council meeting in Bakersfield, California. This meeting was notably tense as it included discussions on a ceasefire resolution between Israel and Gaza. The heightened tensions around the meeting were further exacerbated by increased security measures at government buildings, a response to ongoing anti-Israel protests.

Who is Riddhi Patel?

Riddhi Patel, who supports Palestine, now faces significant legal challenges. She has been charged with 16 felony counts. Authorities have booked her on suspicion of eight counts of attempting to terrorize with her threats, and another eight counts are related to the threats she made against city officials during her public address.

After the charges were laid out before her, Patel was visibly distressed, shedding tears as the reality of the felony charges dawned on her.

At a point in the council meeting allocated for public comments, Patel expressed her strong dissent against new security protocols, specifically opposing the installation of metal detectors. She argued that such measures were effectively criminalizing the public, voicing her concerns loudly during the session.

At the Bakersfield City Council meeting, Riddhi Patel spoke in a disruptive manner to the council members. She said, "...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." She also stated, "You guys don't care about the oppression happening here."

She expressed her anger at the enhanced security measures at government buildings across the US, which had been implemented following a police crackdown on anti-Israel protests.

Patel continued with her outburst by commenting on local cultural recognition. "...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.

During the Bakersfield City Council meeting, Riddhi Patel made a series of disturbing remarks that heightened the tension in the room. She challenged the council's security measures by stating, "You guys want to criminalize us with metal detectors," and then escalated her threats with "We’ll see you at your house. We’ll murder you." Her aggressive tone continued as she declared, "I hope one day somebody brings the guillotine and kills all of you motherf****.**"

Patel continued her verbal assault, criticizing those in office. She claimed, "would backstab you" and "leave you to die." Highlighting her perception of how anti-Israel protesters are treated, she reiterated her earlier threat, saying, "We'll see you at your house, we’ll murder you," which was directed specifically at Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh and the city council members.

She expressed her disapproval of recent security measures at the city council meetings, noting, "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 criminalize them."

In a particularly charged moment, she denounced the festival of Navratri, referring to it as "a festival of oppressors." She also invoked the names of Mahatma Gandhi and Jesus Christ in her contentious speech, just before issuing her dire threats to the city council members.

After Riddhi Patel concluded her remarks at the Bakersfield City Council meeting, Mayor Karen Goh quickly signaled to the police officers in the hall, pointing out Patel due to her threatening statements.

The incident, featuring Patel's inflammatory and extreme comments, captured widespread attention online. Her speech was shared extensively on social platforms like X (formerly known as Twitter) and TikTok, leading to a rapid spread of the video.

The clip shared by Collin Rugg and the Hindu American Foundation on X alone amassed over 3 million views. The Hindu American Foundation expressed their dismay, posting, "We are outraged that this person invokes Gandhi & Chaitra Navaratri while threatening to murder Bakersfield leaders."

Additionally, an Indian-American woman criticized Patel online, identifying her as a "known Hinduphobe" and commenting on her antisemitic sentiments, "It’s the same antisemitic," while condemning Patel's actions.

Local media, including KGET TV, an NBC affiliate in Bakersfield, reported that the council chamber had been a scene of significant tension. This was partly due to pro-Palestinian protesters, including Patel, urging the council members to adopt a cease-fire resolution concerning the Israel-Hamas conflict.

City Council is Not Intimidated by Riddhi's Threat

In the wake of the disturbing events at the city council meeting, Councilman and Vice Mayor Andrae Gonzales, who witnessed Riddhi Patel's aggressive speech, made it clear that the council would stand firm against any form of intimidation. He strongly condemned Patel's behavior, stating that her threats were "completely inappropriate, unproductive and is deeply concerning."

Gonzales elaborated on the council's approach to handling disputes, emphasizing the importance of mature dialogue. "Sit at the table like adults and exchange ideas, go back and forth really trying to figure out how we can find a path together. Making real threats to elected officials and decision-makers is not the way to influence others. Nobody on the city council will be intimidated to action," he explained, highlighting that the council would not be swayed by threats but would continue to engage in constructive discussions.

Meanwhile, the United Liberation Front, a pro-Palestinian organization, quickly took steps to dissociate itself from Patel's radical actions. The group issued a statement condemning any threats against public officials, clarifying, "Patel’s aggressive language does not align with their principles and fails to represent the United Liberation Front’s stance." This statement underscored the organization's commitment to peaceful advocacy and denounced any expressions of violence.

Despite the turmoil caused by Patel's remarks, the Bakersfield City Council moved forward with its agenda. During Wednesday’s meeting, they unanimously approved the proposed security measures, including the installation of metal detectors. This decision was made in the interest of enhancing safety at council meetings, reaffirming the council's commitment to maintaining a secure and orderly environment for public discourse.

Arrest of Riddhi Patel

The situation involving Riddhi Patel escalated to legal action as she was arrested on the evening of Wednesday, 10th April. The 28-year-old faced serious charges: eight felony counts for threatening with intent to terrorize and another eight counts for specifically threatening the Mayor and Bakersfield city council members. The development was officially confirmed by Bakersfield Police Sgt. Eric Celedon.

Following her arrest, Patel was taken to Lerdo jail, where she is currently held with her bail bond set at a significant amount of $2 million. This high bail reflects the severity of the charges against her and the perceived risk she poses.

In the midst of this legal turmoil, the anti-Israeli group ‘United Front Liberation’, of which Riddhi Patel was a member, has taken a clear stance on the issue. The group made a point to separate itself from the controversy stirred by Patel’s actions and rhetoric. On their official Instagram account, they posted, “United Liberation Front unequivocally condemns any statements that threaten public officials. The comments in question made tonight by a speaker run counter to our values and do not represent the United Liberation Front.” This post reflects the organization’s attempt to maintain its integrity and distance itself from any form of violence or threats against public figures, highlighting a fundamental disagreement with Patel’s approach.

Riddhi Patel and Her Controversies

Riddhi Patel, a 28-year-old activist known for her pro-Hamas stance, has been involved in various controversies, particularly regarding her remarks on social media. In January 2021, she made a series of derogatory comments about prominent political figures and ideologies in a Facebook post. She expressed her disdain with the words, "Man fuck Modi. Fuck the BJP. Fuck Nikki Haley. Fuck Dinesh. Fuck Bobby Jindal. Fuck Hindu Fascism."

Patel had also been active in the political arena, participating in the presidential campaign of Bernie Sanders, a far-left American politician. Her involvement in politics deepened after she joined the Center on Race, Poverty & The Environment (CRPE) in 2020. CRPE is known for its work as a national environmental justice organization that provides legal, organizing, and technical assistance to grassroots groups in economically disadvantaged and racially diverse communities.

There is a perception that Patel’s radical shift in political views may have been influenced by her time at CRPE. Some believe that this organization played a significant role in shaping her ideologies, suggesting that it should be investigated for its influence on her actions. Patel’s public appearances and speeches often reflect a deliberate use of her Indian-American identity, as seen in her attire and references to cultural festivals like Navaratri. This strategic presentation has led some to criticize her approach as being manipulative for ideological purposes.

Furthermore, her academic environment has also come under scrutiny. Saint Louis University, where she studied, and some of its faculty members have been noted for their active participation in pro-Palestinian protests, which could have further influenced her viewpoints.

Patel’s actions and affiliations have sparked a broader debate on the impact of what some describe as 'wokeism' on American society, suggesting it poses a significant cultural and political threat. This narrative points to a deep-seated concern about ideological extremism and its consequences on individual behavior and public safety.

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