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Palm Bay council moves to suspend Langevin for anti-Indian remarks
Community outrage over Councilman Langevin’s anti-Indian comments pushes Palm Bay City Council to seek suspension, raising questions about free speech, ethics, and political responsibility.
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Anushka Pathak - Fri, 03, Oct 2025
- 11:16 EDT
- 22
Charles Langevin / Courtesy: ‘X’ via @ChandlerForPB
The Palm Bay City Council voted 4-1 on Oct. 2 to request Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to suspend Councilman Chandler Langevin over disparaging remarks about Indian Americans.
The move follows weeks of backlash after Langevin posted on social media that “Indian migration has to cease immediately” and called for the deportation of all Indians. He also amplified claims accusing India of funding an “invasion” of the United States.
The Oct. 2 meeting drew hundreds to the council chambers, with several Indian-American leaders signing up to speak and demand action.
Past chairman of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, Bharat Patel, said, “Calls to cease Indian migration or deport every Indian immediately are not only factually wrong, they echo some of history's darkest rhetoric. Indian-Americans are proud citizens and neighbors who embody the very best of American values: hard work, family, entrepreneurship, and community service.”
Prashant Patel, president of the Indian American Business Association, highlighted the positive contributions of the community: “Indian-Americans, comprising just 1.5 percent of the US population, pay an estimated 5 to 6 percent of all US income taxes. This revenue significantly contributes to the tax base that sustained public services in Palm Bay, Brevard County and the whole nation.”
Mike Shah, CEO of Southeast Petro Distributors, spoke with visible emotion: “I feel hurt. It’s amazing to see the community supporting us. We truly are part of the fabric of this community and add to the value of this community.”
Also Read: AAHOA criticizes anti-Indian comments by Florida City Council member
As the public comments wrapped up, Langevin, addressing the meeting, said, “I'm an elected official, and I'm elected by the people, and quite frankly, as long as I'm not breaking the law, I'll say whatever I damn well please. So as far as the rest of the council goes, go ahead and go ahead and vote for the letter. I almost want you to.”
Mayor Rob Medina acknowledged the contributions of Indian Americans to Palm Bay, florida and the nation. “I hope the governor deports you out of these chambers and out of that door,” he told Langevin, a line that brought raucous applause from the audience.
The city attorney will now draft a letter to DeSantis seeking Langevin’s removal. Council members also agreed to ask state senator Debbie Mayfield, who already called for suspension, to file a complaint with the Florida Commission on Ethics.
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