Palm Bay Council Tells Gov. DeSantis To Remove Councilman Over Anti-Indian Posts

Photo: X

India-West News Desk

PALM BAY, FL — A heated Palm Bay City Council meeting on October 2 drew hundreds of outraged residents and business leaders demanding the removal of Councilman Chandler Langevin, after his social media posts calling for the deportation of Indian Americans sparked widespread condemnation.

According to WESH, the NBC affiliate in Orlando, residents filled the council chambers and overflow rooms, with hundreds more gathered outside as dozens signed up to speak. Many denounced Langevin’s posts, where he wrote, “Deport every Indian immediately” and “There’s not a single Indian that cares about the United States.”

“He has disrespected Palm Bay, he has disrespected Brevard County, he has disrespected the state of Florida, our nation,” one resident said during the public comments. “Get this cancer removed.” Another speaker added, “Chandler, you are all open carry — maybe you should stop carrying around your hate, your racism, and white supremacy.”

Preshant Patel, president of the Indian American Business Association Chamber, emphasized the contributions of Indian Americans to the U.S. economy. “We are about 1.2 percent of the population and contribute to about five to six percent of the income tax in the U.S.,” he said, urging the council to demand Langevin’s resignation or suspension.

From the council dais, Langevin dismissed calls to step down. “As far as resigning, you can vote for the letter tonight. I hope you do. It’s going to be worthless,” he said, according to WESH. “I’m going to be here for another three years. Get used to it.”

In a post on X, Langevin defended his remarks, claiming, “I personally consider them Americans, and my comments were not directed at them. I stand by my comments in regard to all forms of illegal immigration.”

However, his follow-up message only deepened the backlash. As Spectrum News reported, Langevin directly addressed community leader Amar Patel, CEO of the Brevard Achievement Center, writing, “There are Americans with Indian descent — they are Americans, not Indian Americans. And then there are Indians. You can’t be both.”

Patel, who has lived in the community since 2004, said Langevin’s comments were “racist” and have left many Indian Americans fearful. “You don’t know who you are standing next to in the community that agrees with Council Member Langevin’s perspective,” he told Spectrum News. “And that’s a very scary feeling.”

Following the nearly four-hour meeting, the council voted 4-1 to send a formal letter to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, requesting Langevin’s suspension. Langevin cast the sole dissenting vote – in favor of himself.

The letter, sent on October 3, stated that while the council acknowledges Langevin’s right to free speech, “the manner in which he exercised his rights constitutes misfeasance and incompetence.”

Langevin responded online once again, mocking the move. “Imagine being the hardest working Governor in America and your Chief of Staff has to interrupt you to say, ‘Sir, Debbie Mayfield and some liberal council sent us a letter to remove a duly elected official because he posted some tweets,’” he wrote on X.

DeSantis has not publicly commented on the council’s request.