Indian-American woman's threatening remarks at Gaza meeting: Indian-American Riddhi Patel, 28, was arrested after threatening to “kill” the mayor and city council members during a local council hearing in Bakersfield, California. Where she started crying. Since Riddhi Patel is a supporter of Palestine, he is against the ceasefire proposal against Israel in Gaza. In doing so, he issued death threats to all city council members who opposed Palestine. Due to which he was presented in the court on 12 April 2024.
We have the right to violently protest against the oppressor – Riddhi Patel
At the meeting, Riddhi taunted the city council members, saying, “Every victim has the right to protest violently against their oppressor and it would be better if someone brings a guillotine and cuts your throat.” He also said that he had never seen metal detectors or such police force at any meeting in the last few years. All this is being done so that the Palestinians can be proven guilty.
Riddhi accused of bullying
Mayor Karen Goh took Riddhi's statement as a threat and charged him with 16 charges and he is now in jail on $1 million (Rs 83.61 lakh) bail. Riddhi will be presented in the court on 16, 24 and 25 April. Riddhi Patel is associated with the Center on Race, Poverty and the Environment. The organization claims to provide legal assistance to low-income communities.
Criticism of city council members
In the city council meeting, he said about the members that these people do not know what is happening in the world. Meanwhile, he also gave the example of Navratri to justify violent revolution and said that this festival is celebrated in the Global South. Riddhi has often demonstrated in support of Palestine.
The war started due to Hamas attacks on Israel
More than 33,000 people have been killed in the war, which began with a surprise Hamas attack on Israel on October 7 last year. Many countries and international organizations including America are pressurizing Israel for a ceasefire. Israel, which has vowed to continue fighting until Hamas is “eliminated,” also faces the threat of attack by Iran after an Israeli attack on the Iranian embassy in Syria this month.