Recent anti-Semitic incidents in Santee have truly sparked a fire in the community. In early May, a Santee man was seen wearing a Ku Klux Klan white hood while shopping, causing shock in outrage in the Santee community and throughout the nation.
Santee residents wanted to make clear that such behavior and beliefs are unacceptable in their community. Mayor John Minto helped organize a small rally in a park, spreading the message of love over hate and making it clear that anti-Semitism is not welcome in Santee. He also led the effort to add members to an oversight committee to address future incidents of racism, sexism, bigotry, intolerance, and hatred of all kinds.
Santee residents decorated their vehicles with messages of love and acceptance before driving through the city and stopping at City Hall for a meeting with Rabbi Rafi, who stood in solidarity with Santee. “Most hate comes from ignorance. Through education, people will learn to live and love one another,” said Rabbi Rafi.
It’s often difficult for communities to create a proper response to acts of hatred in their own homes. Thankfully, Santee was able to come together and demonstrate that diversity is greater than division.
