Riddhi Patel, an Indian-American activist, has been charged with 18 felony counts after her arrest at the Bakersfield City Council Hall. She allegedly made terrorist threats against council members and Mayor Karen Goh during a public meeting. The 28-year-old pro-Palestine protester, was visibly emotional, shedding tears upon hearing the charges leveled against her.
She faces ten counts related to intent to terrorize, along with eight additional counts for threatening officials during her provocative speech.
Radical liberal Riddhi Patel is facing 18 felony counts after threatening the City Council and Mayor in Bakersfield.
She’s being held on a $1m bond and it turns out she’s not a hardcore killer.
Fucketh about, findeth out. pic.twitter.com/TMwN26nFbX
— Amiri King (@AmiriKing) April 14, 2024
Riddhi Patel, an Indian-American activist, made headlines during a Wednesday council meeting when she launched an anti-Israel tirade. Her provocative speech, which included threats against Bakersfield’s mayor and council members, drew attention from the Hindu American Foundation.
Patel invoked Mahatma Gandhi and Chaitra Navaratri, alluding to violent revolution against oppressors.
She expressed her concern: “You guys want to criminalize us with metal detectors.” However, her message took a dark turn as she issued a chilling threat: “We’ll see you at your house. We’ll murder you,” and then added, “I hope one day somebody brings the guillotine and eliminates all of you.”
We are outraged that this person invokes Gandhi & Chaitra Navaratri while threatening to murder @Bakersfield_Cal leaders.
The escalation of #antisemitic rhetoric from anti-Israel demonstrations into terroristic threats is a horrific reality that we condemn. It must stop now. pic.twitter.com/zCp1iwrXJu
— Hindu American Foundation (@HinduAmerican) April 13, 2024
Following the widespread circulation of Patel’s controversial speech, it faced swift condemnation. Her anti-Israel stance escalated dramatically, with her asserting: “You guys are all horrible human beings, and Jesus probably would have eliminated you himself.
Furthermore, she expressed her belief that the lack of concern among those she addressed extended beyond Israel, encompassing other regions where oppression persists, such as Palestine and other countries.
Continuing her discourse, Patel drew inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi and invoked the Chaitra Navaratri, a Hindu holiday commencing this week. She addressed those who secure votes in Bakersfield, emphasizing that these holidays, observed by people in the global south, hold a belief in violent revolution against their oppressors.
Concluding her remarks, Patel issued a direct threat to city officials. In response, Bakersfield Mayor Karen Goh swiftly signaled the police officers present to escort her out and address the situation.
As the video gained traction on the internet, an older Facebook post from 2021 resurfaced, revealing her vehement disdain for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Therein, her expletive-laden hate was directed towards the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as she wrote: “Man f**k Modi. F**k the BJP. F**k Nikki Haley. F**k Dinesh. F**k Bobby Jindal. F**k Hindu Fascism.
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