After displaying their Mexican flag proudly for years, a family in Santa Ana has turned to the police after a hate crime suspect stole their banner, defaced their property and threatened them.
“It’s rising to the level where these feel like they could become unpredictable,” homeowner Carlos Antunez said. “Right now, it’s a rock, the vandalism. I don’t know what the next step is.”
Antunez and his family have lived at their home nestled in the middle of a Hispanic community, where neighbors celebrate everything from the Fourth of July to the Mexican Independence Day, for nearly 20 years. They have proudly flown several banners on their front porch, including the US, California and Mexican flags.
“We celebrate both nationalities,” Antunez, a local teacher, said. “We’re proud of our dual heritage. It’s something to be proud of.”
However, the culture that once made them feel proud has turned into a reason for someone to target them. On Oct. 21, Antunez’s security cameras captured a man ripping their Mexican flag and the pole it flew on from their front porch. Thinking that it was an isolated incident, Antunez and his family somewhat brushed it aside and put up another one.