Florida’s Palm Bay councilman Chandler Langevin has come under fire for his anti-India comments.
Florida councilman Chandler Langevin who created a ripple by his targeted attack on Indians in the US was censured in a 3-2 vote by the Palm Bay council as the council took note of his offensive comments on the Indian community. Langevin had deleted one of the controversial posts but defended all and refused to apologize. After being censured by his council, he said he would sue the council. A censure in the council means Langevin will be able to place an item on the agenda if he gets consensus from the council beforehand. He’s also not allowed to speak during the committee and council reports portion of the meeting except to request a consensus to put an item on a future agenda.
‘Not a single India that cares about the United States’
In his now-deleted post, Chandler Langevin wrote: “There’s not a single Indian that cares about the United States. They are here to exploit us financially and enrich India and Indians. America for Americans,” he wrote and later clarified that he did not mean the Indian-American community but the visa holders who are in the US temporarily. His social media post led to massive outrage and demands for his resignation were raised. “Today is my birthday and all I want is for @realDonaldTrump to revoke every Indian visa and deport them immediately. America for Americans,” he wrote on October 2, undeterred. “We’re all overwhelmed by everything,” mayor Rob Medina, who is a member of the council, said during the council meeting. “This nation was founded on immigrants. … We are all part of the very fabric of the flag, our banner, the United States of America.”
‘I’m not the first Republican…’
Langevn told the Washington Post that he aimed to start a discourse about immigration policies. “I’m not the first Republican to make a mean tweet,” he said. Langevin said the city council’s censure, calls for his removal and condemnation from fellow Republicans are “reprehensible” and represent a stifling of different viewpoints. He added that he has no intention of abdicating his seat.“I’m not going anywhere,” he said.
