At least two large campaign signs in support of Manteca Mayor Gary Singh have been set ablaze in recent days, injecting the possibility that racism has surfaced in the contest.
Singh wrote an extensive, heartfelt condemnation of the fires on social media. He said he isn’t intimidated by the vandalism. He reaffirmed that he’s proud of his Indian heritage, which is reflected on his website, replete with photos of his extended family.
“And burning a sign with my name on it will not change how I show up for Manteca,” he said.
Rather than being upset about the lost signs, Singh said he is far more concerned that the acts of arson could spread and endanger lives and property.
“Some of these larger signs are placed on private property, near businesses, fences, landscaping, and other structures. When someone is willing to intentionally set one on fire, I have to think beyond my campaign,” he wrote. “What happens if the flames spread?”
Two of the incumbent mayor’s reelection campaign signs have been burned, according to reports from the Manteca Bulletin, including one that set off an inferno in surrounding brush.
Singh could not be reached directly for comment.
No notes, writings or other communications have emerged in conjunction with the fires that would indicate whether the acts were intended as mere political theater or something more nefarious.
Manteca police Sgt. Steven Beerman said the arson cases are under investigation. When asked whether authorities are treating the burnings as possible hate crimes, he said he could not comment further.
Both Singh and his opponent in the Nov. 3 general election, Jacob Naven, raised the specter of race as a motivation for the blazes.
Naven issued his own statement expressing dismay and outrage over the fires, noting he’s seen evidence of racism in the campaign.
“I condemn the destruction of Gary Singh’s campaign signs, as well as the racism we’ve seen directed at people participating in this election,” Naven said. “None of it belongs in Manteca.”
Promoting the notion that “humanity is universal,” Naven said he was willing to help rehang his opponent’s signs.
Manteca has long been hailed as one of San Joaquin County’s most diverse and vibrant communities. Its Indian American community has played an increasing role in the city, capped recently by the naming of a new street between Austin Road and east Atherton Drive. It was designated as Singh Road.
The road is not named for the mayor. Rather, Singh is a popular name in South Asia that translates from Punjabi as “lion.”
A massive turnout of area officials marked the dedication of the street, part of large project to unsnarl traffic around state routes 99 and 120.
Against that background, the mayor urged the city to remember that disagreements need not devolve into hatred. As for the fires, he started off by noting, “This isn’t who we are, Manteca.”
In ending his message, he offered another reminder:
“After Election Day, we are still neighbors.”