Cars lined up on Thursday night to show support for the Lekhi family after broken windows and racist graffiti were left on their home.

Photo: Casey Richardson

The Lekhi family waves as dozens of cars drive by their home with supportive cheers, honks and signs of encouragement

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Photo: Casey Richardson Photo: Casey Richardson Photo: Casey Richardson Photo: Casey Richardson Photo: Casey Richardson Photo: Casey Richardson Photo: Casey Richardson Photo: Casey Richardson Photo: Casey Richardson Photo: Casey Richardson

 

Shouts of “We stand with you, you belong and you are loved’ came from many of Summerland residents on Thursday night.

The drive by parade was arranged for the Lekhi family who were recently victims of racially-charged graffiti and vandalism on their home. 

Support for the family was piling in after the incident, with community members offering to help them clean up, paint the home and even install security cameras around the property.

A GoFundMe was also created by the family, raising funds for a community project promoting unity.

The parade was arranged in less than 24 hours to stand beside the family, hoping they would feel safe and encouraged by the community.

“It just really just touched us that this happened in our neighbourhood, like three blocks from where we live, I saw it when I drove by that morning,” said Tamara Aspell. 

Andy Aspell adds, “I think it's good they can see some community support and that there’s people in this community that care.” 

A Summerland resident said she was “really appalled that it would happen here. It was important that we come down and just show solidarity.”

RCMP and the Summerland Fire Department were present to lead the charge — but came as residents of the community — knowing the Lekhi family for many years. 

The family was blown away by how many people showed up.