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IA Impact condemns racist attack on Rep. Krishnamoorthi
The nonprofit urged elected officials and organizations across the country to unite against hate speech “in all its forms” and reaffirm that the United States “belongs to people of every name, color, and faith.”
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Malvika Choudhary - Fri, 24, Oct 2025
- 14:59 EDT
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Raja Krishnamoorthi/ IA Impact / File Photo
The Indian American Impact organization condemned a racist attack against Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi by Palm Bay, Florida, City Councilman Chandler Langevin, calling the remarks “deeply harmful” and “un-American.”
In a statement on Oct. 23, the advocacy group said Langevin’s comments reflect “a growing wave of hate that seeks to divide communities rather than strengthen them.”
Also Read: 'Racist mockery': Krishnamoorthi calls out Langevin for personal attacks
Chintan Patel, executive director of Indian American Impact, said, “Hate and racism in this country should never be tolerated. When someone attacks another American’s right to belong because of their name or heritage, they aren’t just insulting an individual; they’re fueling a broader climate of fear and exclusion. Anyone who engages in this kind of rhetoric must be called out for spreading hate and divisiveness and for putting Americans at risk.”
The nonprofit urged elected officials and organizations across the country to unite against hate speech “in all its forms” and reaffirm that the United States “belongs to people of every name, color, and faith.”
Langevin, a Palm Bay City Council member in Florida, recently made a series of racist social media posts targeting Indian Americans and Indian immigrants. On Oct. 19, he attacked Rep. Krishnamoorthi on X, calling him a “foreign occupier.” In another post, he mocked the Congressman’s name as “unpronounceable” and listed his country of origin as “Tatooine,” a fictional desert planet from the Star Wars franchise.
Krishnamoorthi responded by posting a clip from his campaign video, saying, “You can call me Raja,” to which Langevin replied, “Got it… Rajesh Koothrapali,” referencing an Indian character from The Big Bang Theory.
Earlier, Langevin had written that he wanted “every Indian visa revoked and deported immediately,” calling for “America for Americans.” His remarks have triggered widespread backlash from civil rights groups, Indian American community leaders, and lawmakers.
Krishnamoorthi, whom Langevin directly targeted, called the remarks “unacceptable—and dangerous,” saying they echoed “the cruelty of Donald Trump’s mass ICE raids.”
Advocacy organizations including Hindus for Human Rights and the Hindu American Foundation demanded an apology and called for accountability, describing Langevin’s language as “overtly bigoted” and “dehumanizing.”
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