Alameda Residents Clean Up Racist Graffiti

ALAMEDA, CA — Alameda residents turned a message of hate into a work of compassion and love on Sunday when they erased racist graffiti and replaced it with chalk messages of hope.

Alameda Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft issued a statement explaining what happened: "This morning several families in an East End neighborhood, including an African-American family, discovered that their cars had been vandalized overnight with spray painted racist messages. The African-American family’s car was also keyed and the tires were gouged.

"But, the story doesn’t end with these cowardly, racist acts. Almost immediately, neighbors, passersby, and others who read about the incident on social media, showed up to offer support, warm wishes, and elbow grease.

"Individuals, including John Knox White, Alameda Vice Mayor, helped clean the spray paint from the cars while others wrote and drew chalk messages of support on the sidewalk.

"Councilmember Jim Oddie and Assistant City Manager Gerry Beaudin were also present. The African-American neighbors told me that they cried when they opened their front door this morning and saw their car, and were reduced to tears again when they saw the crowd that gathered to show their support.

"Hate and intolerance have no place in our city, or any city, and will not be tolerated in Alameda."