Indian American Members of Congress have condemned an incident outside Frisco City Hall in Frisco, Texas, where a demonstrator allegedly tore an Indian flag during an immigration-related protest amid what lawmakers described as “anti-India chants” and “rhetoric.”
In a joint statement, Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois, Ami Bera of California, Pramila Jayapal of Washington, Ro Khanna of California, Shri Thanedar of Michigan, and Suhas Subramanyam of Virginia denounced the act while reaffirming support for free speech protections.
“We strongly support the constitutional right to freedom of expression for all Americans. At the same time, we condemn the tearing of an Indian flag outside Frisco City Hall alongside hateful anti-India rhetoric, which continues to fuel anti-Indian violence and xenophobia. Acts of hate and intimidation targeting any community are unacceptable and have no place in our country,” the lawmakers said in a joint statement.
The lawmakers emphasized that the Indian American community is an integral part of the United States and should be able to live without fear of harassment or discrimination. They expressed concern about what they described as growing instances of “harassment, xenophobia, and hateful rhetoric” directed at Indian Americans and South Asian Americans.
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According to the statement, public officials and community leaders have a responsibility to speak out against such behavior and make clear that hate directed at any community cannot be “tolerated or ignored.”
“We stand in solidarity with the Indian American community in Frisco and across the country. Everyone deserves to live with dignity and safety, free from fear, harassment, and discrimination,” they added.
