San Francisco

‘We Are Not Going to Tolerate It': San Francisco Residents Stand Up to Anti-Chinese Graffiti

The vandalism is being investigated as a hate crime, authorities said

Residents in San Francisco's Portola neighborhood gathered late Thursday to show unity in standing up to racism.

Police recently arrested a 62-year-old San Francisco man in connection with anti-Chinese graffiti in the neighborhood.

"If you don't say something it's going to continue," said Yen Sing, who lives in the Portola neighborhood.

Dozens of people at the gathering stood shoulder to shoulder at Palega Park, one of the neighborhood locations where the words "No more Chinese" were spray-painted.

Police identified the suspect as John Schenone, who was arrested on Tuesday. They say he matched a description of the person they believe is responsible for six separate instances of hateful graffiti.

The words appeared to have been written on Sunday, but investigators did not release the exact times the vandalism occurred.

Portola neighbors said they are proud of the diversity in their community and are making sure everyone feels welcome.

"We are not going to tolerate it if one person does this we are going to show up 100 strong and say this is not accepted in our community," Sing said.

The San Francisco District Attorney's Office said Schenone is charged with 13 counts, including felony vandalism with a hate crime enhancement, six misdemeanor counts of vandalism and six additional hate crime charges.

Schenone is scheduled to be arraigned on Friday.

Police are still asking for witnesses in the case to come forward and contact them at 415-553-0123.

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