Protester charged with threatening Bakersfield council, fired from job with advocacy group
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — The protester who was arrested after making a threat to councilmembers last week has been fired from her job with an environmental advocacy group.
The Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment said Riddhi Patel, who was removed from and arrested after making a threat to Bakersfield city councilmembers on April 10, was fired from her role in the organization.
“We unequivocally condemn any threats of violence or unethical behavior,” the organization posted on X. “CRPE has been committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and respect in all our work and interactions for the past 35 years.”
Patel was arrested last week after telling the council during public comment, “We’ll see you at your house. We’ll murder you.”
Patel had been one of several voices at a recent Bakersfield City Council meeting demanding the council pass a resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas war. Patel was also speaking out against recent security measures put in place for city council meetings.
Pro-Palestinian protesters interrupted previous meetings over the council not passing a ceasefire resolution. Mayor Karen Goh asked Bakersfield police officers to remove them each time.
The pro-Palestinian group United Front Liberation has disavowed Patel’s comments following the meeting. The group said Patel’s comments did not “represent those of us in the community who continue to show up and exercise our civic duty by engaging directly with our elected representatives.”
Patel was charged Friday with 18 felony counts including making terroristic threats and threatening a public official. Patel pleaded not guilty to the charges.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17.
