Image Credit: Screen Grab from Video
Plano, Texas: Three years after a shocking racist attack outside the Sixty Vines restaurant, Indian American Dr. Bidisha Rudra and her friends have reached a civil settlement with Esmerelda Upton, the woman who verbally and physically assaulted them.
The incident, which gained widespread attention after a video went viral, highlights the persistent issue of racial hate crimes in the U.S.
Key Facts:
- Upton approached Rudra and her group, hurling racial slurs and striking three of the women while threatening to shoot them.
- The video captured Upton saying, “We don’t want you here” and “I hate you Indians,” sparking outrage on social media.
- Upton pleaded guilty to four hate crime charges and received a combined sentence of 40 days in jail, probation, and fines totaling $2,000.
— Jai Ho America (@ivishua) January 11, 2025
The August 2022 confrontation, caught on camera, garnered over a million views, exposing the undercurrents of racial tension faced by migrant communities.
Upton was arrested the day after the incident following an outcry over the police's initial response, which they justified under Texas law.
Rudra’s lawsuit, supported pro bono by the Alliance for Asian American Justice, marks a significant step in advocating for victims of hate crimes.
Speaking about her experience, Rudra stated, “This crusade against racism is far from over. I will stand as an ally and a voice for those too afraid or hesitant to speak out.”
Despite the settlement, the scars of the incident linger. The case highlights the need for systemic action against the rising tide of hate crimes targeting Indian Americans and other migrant communities.