Washington:
Indian-US Congresswoman Raja Krishnamoorthi has urged Dallas police to prosecute a woman who last week harassed and assaulted four women of Indian descent in Texas.
“Such bigoted attacks motivated by racism, xenophobia and other forms of hatred are not only the victims of those directly targeted, but also wider communities by creating an atmosphere of fear and danger,” Krishnamoorthi said.
Esmeralda Upton of Plano, Texas, was arrested last Wednesday for the racially motivated physical and verbal assault of the four women in a parking lot.
Upton identifies himself in the video as a Mexican American.
“I hate you Indian. All these Indians come to America because they want a better life,” she says in the video.
The video shows her telling the group of women to “go back to India”.
“You… people are destroying this country,” she says in the video that has now gone viral and has shocked the Indian-American community in the United States.
“I am appalled by the images of the hate-motivated harassment and assault of four women of Indian descent and urge the police to prosecute the woman responsible to the fullest extent of the law,” said the Indian-US congressman in a statement. “As our country continues to fight the wave of anti-Asian hatred since the start of the pandemic, I urge all Americans to come together and prove that our country and our people are better than this,” he said.
In a separate statement, representatives of Indian-American organizations in New England on Sunday strongly condemned the recent act of anti-Asian violence in Plano, Texas.
“We are deeply concerned by this and the recent increased violence and hate crimes against Indians, South Asians and Asian Americans in general. We commend the Plano Police Department for their urgent and understanding response to the incident,” they said.
Asian-Americans, like all immigrants, have made significant contributions to this great country, despite ongoing prejudice based on accents, color, religion or perceptions of leadership or other skills, they said.
“We believe in the fair treatment of all people, regardless of age, level of education, race, ethnicity, gender expression and identity, nationality, national origin, creed, accent, physical and mental capabilities, political and religious attitudes, gender, sexual orientation, marital status , socioeconomic status, veteran status, occupation or other human differences,” the organizations said.
“We unequivocally and unabashedly condemn the divisive forces of hatred, inequality and injustice. We are united in love and peace and oppose racist, discriminatory and violent actions against any community,” they said. PTI LKJ TIR TIR