More than 1,000 residents of Delano and surrounding areas joined in a candlelight gathering Sunday night to show their support of a local black family whose home was broken into and spray-painted with racial slurs a week earlier.
Their message: The community won't tolerate hate, and the incident doesn't reflect how most residents think or act in the city of 6,000 located on the metro area's western edge.
"What we need to do is unify everybody together," said Mayor Dale Graunke. "For all the people who are discriminated against, to say there's help here for them and this is a safe place to be."
The event inaugurated an anti-racism campaign dubbed Delano United.
On March 12, someone broke into and vandalized the house of Latanza Douglas, her husband and their three foster children. "Get out" was spray-painted on its siding, and the vandals also left a note that said "Next time it's going to be fire." Swastikas were drawn on interior and exterior walls, items were stolen or damaged and garbage was thrown around. Televisions, a new couch and photos were also spray-painted.
No arrests have been made in connection with the incident.
At the vigil, attendees lit candles as Graunke, faith leaders, a state representative and the Delano school district's superintendent spoke and prayed in the street near City Hall. The event ended with a rendition of "This Little Light of Mine."
Superintendent Matt Schoen said he lives eight houses down from the Douglas family and spent Wednesday walking through their damaged home and talking with Latanza Douglas. "Words can't express the absolute shame I felt listening to her," Shoen said.
