Indian Americans condemn racist assault in Texas: ‘Alarming, but not uncommon…’

Esmeralda Upton from Plano in Texas was arrested for the racially-motivated bodily and verbal assault of 4 South Asian girls in a parking zone on Wednesday.

“The recent news of four Indian-origin women being harassed and abused with vile racial slurs in Plano, TX, has sent shock waves through the Indian-American community,” stated Sanjeev Joshipura from Indiaspora.

“The viral video captures the unreal encounter of four friends facing a tirade in a suburban parking lot, following their quiet dinner meet-up. We at Indiaspora strongly condemn this racial attack and reiterate our commitment to fighting discrimination and prejudice in all its forms,” he stated.

The assault is one more in a string of deplorable anti-Asian hate crimes which have taken place over the previous two years and comes on the heels of the same incident involving the primary India- American girl in Congress, Pramila Jaya, stated Indian American Impact.

This is a get up name to all HUMANS and coloration be good to all – don’t throw racism… it’s a studying curve. #stophate #racism have a look at the result.. Racism nonetheless occurs on a regular basis – want it might cease. https://t.co/l1OeAczx3J

— MissRoshni (@MissRoshni) August 25, 2022

“Esmeralda Upton’s dangerous and violent sentiments towards the South-Asian community should not be taken lightly. For legal purposes, we are lucky that the racist tirade was caught on camera, but her shameless display of hate towards members of our community is alarming and, unfortunately, not uncommon,” stated Indian-American Impact govt director, Neil Makhija.

“We are so thankful that the four victims of the attack were not severely physically harmed, but it’s imperative we begin to address the psychological effects of consistent attacks on minority communities. The state of Texas needs more than just a reactive approach to overt racism. Leadership should prioritise expanding multicultural education and implementing safety protocols in order to ensure the welfare of vulnerable people of colour, immigrants and women,” he stated.

Joshipura stated the contributions of Indian Americans as immigrants to the US have been broadly recognised, however these accolades really feel much less gratifying within the face of such episodes.

“As most of us acknowledge, systemic racism stands against the values of this great nation. We at Indiaspora ask our community to be vigilant and stand up to any form of intimidation and aggression. These acts should be reported to authorities and community leaders to ensure that no abuser walks away with impunity,” he stated.

UPDATE: Assaulter in video above Esmeralda Upton of Plano Texas has been ARRESTED by Police detectives this afternoon. She faces 2 prices of Assault Bodily Injury and Terroristic menace. Held on $10,000 bond.

Hate and racism comes with a worth: https://t.co/VxCwG6u1Ip

— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) August 25, 2022

In an announcement, HinduPACT condemned the rising hate and vitriol towards a thriving and flourishing diaspora neighborhood that’s proudly a part of America’s civil society and material.

Rakhi Israni, govt director, Legal, HinduPACT, stated together with the irrational hate being directed at Asian Americans generally, hate crimes towards Hindu Americans and Indian Americans are on the rise nationwide.

“From the recent vicious incident at a Taco Bell in Fremont, California, to the attack on the four Indian-American women in Plano, Texas, it is unfortunately becoming too common in our daily society to verbally or, even worse, physically assault another person because of their skin colour, religion, or national origin. We urge the law enforcement in these cities to aggressively pursue these acts as hate crimes as a deterrent to others who choose to act on their irrational hatred for other people who differ from them in any way,” she stated.