Villagers rally together to clean swastika from garage door as man arrested
A community has come together to show support to a family subjected to a racist attack, after a swastika was graffitied onto a house.
On Saturday, businesswoman Margaret Ogunbanwo found a swastika graffitied on the shutters next to her house in Penygroes.
The Ogunbanwo family, who have lived in the Gwynedd village for 13years, have been subjected to abuse in the past, but this was thefirst time that Margaret had had to contact the police.
Police released CCTV footage of a man they want to speak toand said they were treating the hate crime "extremely seriously". They confirmed a 35-year-old man has been arrested and enquiries are ongoing.
The Gwynedd business owner is known for her Maggie’s Exotic Foods, abusiness that makes and sells sauces and spices inspired by Margaret’sAfrican roots.
Following the incident, the community has ralliedaround the family, with volunteers from the village and further afield helping to clean off the graffiti.
Some of those who came forward to help were members of the cookingproject Porthi Pawb from Caernarfon.
The project, which started at the beginning of the coronavirus crisis,aims to help individuals that are old or vulnerable during thepandemic.
“When we heard about the graffiti, we were so shocked and disgusted,”project coordinator Dewi Jones said.
“But despite what we felt, we knew this was ten times worse for thefamily and we had to help them in some way.
"It was so great to see so many people turn up and willing to help. Itjust comes to show that one person's actions do not stop the hearts ofothers."
Councillors and other members of the community also took part in the clean-up.
Plaid Cymru’s Gwynedd Councillor, Judith Humphreys said, "Following what has happened, the community of Penygroes and beyond have been expressing enormous and solid support for the Ogunbanwo family over the weekend, and the family has inspired us with their strength and dignity.
"Thank you to everyone who has visited, sent messages and offered helpas we stand together as a community, showing our support for ourneighbours and friends, the Ogunbanwo family, and say very clearlythat racist behaviour is totally despicable and against everything westand for."
Mrs Ogunbanwo said the community's reaction to the hate crime had been "emotional" for her.
"The whole community - whether local or further afield, have been sohelpful," she said.
"It has been so humbling, I'm touched by people's response and it hasbeen emotional at times.
"I want to take this opportunity to thank all the people that haveshown love and support. I don't feel excluded from my community and itis all thanks to your wonderful support."
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