A local indian restaurant has been the target of a hate crime in Santa Fe, New Mexico and is being investigated by police.
According to a report by the Sante Fe Police Department, The restaurant India Palace had graffiti on its walls, racial slurs, and expletives.
When Baljot John Singh, the general manager and restaurant owner's son, went to open the restaurant on Monday he saw the site was vandalized. Plates, glasses, and other property was sabotaged.
According to a police report, words like "white power", "f*** BLM", "stupid", and "leave" were spray-painted throughout the room.
One of the dining tables had "go back" written on it, and others were painted with silhouettes of male genitalia.
Officers also observed the words "sand n*****" painted on a door, and "die" painted on a kitchen appliance. In a police release that was sent out Tuesday, the release stated that "the case has been classified as a hate crime, and the Santa Fe police department is aggressively pursuing those responsible for this disgusting display of hatred and intolerance.
According to police said the crime took place sometime on Sunday night and the damage lies somewhere over $100,000, including $500 stolen from a cash register.
The family said they have never experienced this kind of racism before.
Santa Fe Mayor Alan Webber took to Twitter and expressed his anger calling the vandalism "sickening and appalling."
This hate crime at India Palace is sickening and appalling. We need to stand up as a community and denounce this despicable act. We will find whoever did it and punish them to the full extent of the law.
— Mayor Alan Webber (@MayorWebber) June 23, 2020
We absolutely reject racism, intolerance, and hate. #SantaFeStrong
The restaurant owners are not sure why they were the target of such vandalism and racialized hate but they are hoping police will get to those responsible.
Photo courtesy of Clarion India
