Highlights:
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Councilmember Chandler Langevin faces backlash for anti-Indian remarks on X.
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Langevin posted statements such as: “We must address the Indian question” and criticized Indian migration.
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Nearly 200 residents, many from Brevard County’s Indian American community, attended a council meeting demanding action.
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Mayor Rob Medina condemned the remarks, praising Palm Bay’s diversity and contributions of Indian Americans.
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Councilman Kenny Johnson has petitioned Governor Ron DeSantis to suspend Langevin from office.
Palm Bay, Florida, is experiencing a political storm after Councilmember Chandler Langevin posted a series of anti-Indian remarks on X, formerly known as Twitter. The comments have sparked outrage among residents, business leaders, and local officials, raising questions about Langevin’s fitness for office.
Anti-Indian Posts Trigger Public Outrage
Langevin’s posts included statements such as: “INDIA is having its people INVADE OUR COUNTRY, and is actively PAYING PEOPLE to try to SHUT THE PUBLIC UP.” He followed up with: “Every Republican official in my county just posted a copy paste statement supporting Indians because I said they need to stop Indian migration.”
In another post, he wrote: “We must address the Indian question,” a phrase widely criticized for its chilling similarity to historical Nazi rhetoric. These remarks were widely condemned as anti-Indian and discriminatory, prompting calls for accountability from the Palm Bay community.
It’s official:
The sole Democrat on Palm Bay City Council has put an item on the agenda to call on @GovRonDeSantis to suspend me from office because of X posts I made demanding we keep Indians in India and America for Americans.
I don’t personally believe expressing my… pic.twitter.com/9ZkyICSJ0U
— Chandler Langevin (@ChandlerForPB) September 30, 2025
Council Meeting Becomes a Forum for Anti-Indian Concerns
On Tuesday, September 30, the Palm Bay City Council convened a special meeting intended to address Langevin’s comments. Nearly 200 residents, many from Brevard County’s Indian American community, attended the session to demand action. Langevin did not attend the meeting. Councilman Mike Hammar joined briefly but left early, leaving Mayor Rob Medina to preside over an impromptu town hall.
During the session, residents voiced their frustration, calling for Langevin’s resignation and emphasizing that anti-Indian sentiment has no place in the city. Mayor Medina highlighted the importance of unity and diversity in Palm Bay, stating:
“Palm Bay’s strength has always come from the diversity of its people… words that demean or devalue others have no place in Palm Bay.”
He specifically praised the contributions of Indian Americans to local business, science, medicine, and politics.
Council Response and Political Pressure
Councilman Kenny Johnson, the only Democrat on the council, has taken further action. He placed an item on the agenda for the Thursday, October 2 meeting to formally petition Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to suspend Langevin from office. Johnson emphasized that Langevin’s continued anti-Indian statements undermine public trust and harm community relations.
Despite mounting criticism, Langevin has refused to retract his remarks. On X, he stated:
“The sole Democrat on Palm Bay City Council has put an item on the agenda to call on @GovRonDeSantis to suspend me… I stand by my comments.”
This defiance has intensified public scrutiny and fueled debates about the appropriate consequences for elected officials who make racially charged statements.
Community Leaders Condemn Anti-Indian Remarks
Local business and community leaders have strongly condemned Langevin’s posts. Mike Shah, owner of Southeast Petro Distributors, said:
“Racism is not good for anybody. I have young children… acts like this will affect how people treat them.”
Amar Patel, CEO of Brevard Achievement Center, also criticized Langevin, stating that true leadership requires acknowledging wrongdoing and retracting anti-Indian remarks.
Residents and speakers at the Tuesday session stressed that racism has no place in Palm Bay and that public officials should be held accountable for anti-Indian statements. The council plans to revisit the issue at Thursday’s meeting, where Langevin’s future in office could be formally addressed.
The Impact of Anti-Indian Rhetoric in Local Politics
The controversy highlights the broader issue of anti-Indian rhetoric in American politics. Experts note that discriminatory statements from elected officials can damage community trust, hinder economic participation, and create an unsafe environment for minority communities. Palm Bay’s situation underscores the importance of civic responsibility, cultural sensitivity, and the role of public scrutiny in maintaining democratic accountability.
The outcome of Thursday’s council meeting will likely determine whether Langevin faces formal consequences, including potential suspension. For now, the residents of Palm Bay continue to voice their opposition, calling for unity, accountability, and a rejection of all forms of anti-Indian sentiment in local governance.
