A recent Frisco City Council meeting in Texas turned controversial after far-right activist and convicted January 6 rioter Edward Jacob Lang delivered an inflammatory speech targeting Indian and South Asian religious communities, including Hindus, Muslims, and Jains.
Lang, who attended the meeting on May 19, used his public speaking time to spread anti-immigrant and anti-religious remarks, claiming that Indian communities were “taking over Texas” and refusing to assimilate into American society.
Without directly naming India at first, he used offensive language and said, “The Hindus and the Muslims are teaming up to take over Texas. This is not Muslims versus Hindus here. They are here to eradicate the Christians; they are here to drive us out of our homeland.”
He also added, “These people do not want to assimilate. They have not come here to become Americans. They have come here to drag their third-world culture over to our country.”
“Sh*thole” Remark and Threats During Council Meeting
Lang further escalated his speech by attacking Hinduism and Jainism, asking, “If Jainism and Hinduism are so great, why are countries sh*tholes? They are bringing this ideology here.”
Referring to the United States, he described it as a “Christian country” and claimed that immigration was changing its identity.
As tensions rose in the packed council chamber, Lang was eventually escorted out after exceeding his speaking time. Before leaving, he shouted, “If I lived in Texas, I would burn down one of these mosques.”
The remarks triggered concern among attendees and online observers, with many calling the speech hate-driven and dangerous.
Council Meeting Focused on Mosque and Temple Approvals
The heated public comments came during a long city council session discussing development proposals for a mosque, a Hindu temple, and a Jain temple in Frisco. The land involved had been zoned for religious use for over 25 years.
Mayor Jeff Cheney clarified that the council had no legal grounds to reject the projects if zoning and planning rules were followed.
“What’s before us tonight is not a policy-making agenda item. It’s a procedural administrative decision based on zoning,” Cheney said. “The policymaking happened 25 and 30 years ago.”
He added that the council could not overturn long-standing zoning approvals.
Support and Opposition Highlight Deep Divisions
The meeting, which lasted late into the night, drew more than 40 public speakers. While some residents opposed the construction of religious sites, others strongly defended them, including Indian American and Jain community members.
Supporters said the new temples and mosque reflect Frisco’s growing diversity and long-established zoning rights. One Jain student, Siri Chamaraj, said her upbringing in the city reflected peaceful coexistence.
“I refuse to believe that our Frisco is anything short of being an inclusive and diverse community,” she said. “I read white and blue in my veins, and I have an om in my heart… God bless Frisco, and God bless America.”
Wider Debate on Immigration and Religious Freedom
The incident has reignited debates in the United States over immigration, religious freedom, and demographic change in fast-growing suburban areas like Frisco.
While some speakers at the meeting framed immigration as a cultural threat, others argued that such rhetoric fuels division and misrepresents religious communities that have been part of American society for decades.
Despite the heated exchanges, city officials confirmed that the religious projects will proceed through standard planning procedures, as required under existing zoning laws.
