An Indian-origin woman, identified as Riddhi Patel, has been arrested in the United States and charged with making terroristic threats against the Mayor of California’s Bakersfield, according to a recent report.
The incident occurred during a city council meeting where Patel directed threats towards officials, specifically criticizing them for not supporting a ceasefire resolution for the Israel-Hamas conflict. Viral video footage from the meeting captured Patel’s alarming statements, where she expressed her desire for “oppressed minorities” to “guillotine” the city’s officials. She also invoked the name of Jesus Christ in her threats, claiming even he would condemn them.
“I remind you that these holidays that we practice, that other people in the global south practice, believe in violent revolution against their oppressors, and I hope one day somebody brings the guillotine and kills all of you,” Patel said during her speech.
Reports indicate that Patel’s threats were made during two separate speeches she delivered to the city council that evening. Initially, she voiced support for the ceasefire resolution but anticipated its rejection, condemning the council members as “horrible human beings.” In her subsequent address, she criticized the installation of additional security measures at the government building, such as metal detectors, characterizing them as attempts to “criminalize” protesters.
Mayor Karen Goh swiftly responded to Patel’s threats, indicating to police officers present that action needed to be taken. Patel was escorted out of the chambers and taken into custody by the police. Bakersfield Police have stated that she faces 16 felony counts, including threatening with intent to terrorize and targeting city officials.
The incident highlights the seriousness with which authorities are treating threats of violence and underscores the need for respectful discourse in public forums.
Sources By Agencies
