Mayoral candidate worries vandalism fueled by racism

A Merced mayoral candidate said vandals have damaged or stolen a half-dozen campaign signs that depict her image and she is concerned the destruction is racially motivated.

Businesswoman Necola Adams, who is the only black candidate running for mayor, said a large sign on Martin Luther King Jr. Way appears to have been slashed. Another sign, which was in a friend’s yard on Donna Drive, was set on fire. Several other signs have been stolen, she said.

“I don’t get it,” the 52-year-old said Tuesday. “I felt like it may be racially motivated. It’s not happening to anyone else.

“I hate to come to that conclusion,” she said. “I love this city and I believe most of the people in this city are good. We just have a few bad apples.”

Adams, who caters through The Cookie Lady’s Bakery & Cafe, noted that vandals did not damage the three other large signs near her sign on the corner of MLK and 13th Street. Those signs promoted other candidates.

“Change is hard for some people,” she said. “And, this is a different climate we’re in. Some people aren’t ready for change.”

Adams pointed to UC Merced’s coming expansion and the state high-speed rail stop planned in Merced, saying Merced is expected to see many changes in the coming years.

Mark Harris, the president of Central Valley Leaders and an attorney practicing in Sacramento, called the vandalism a “teachable moment” that should spark conversations about race in Merced. A UC Merced professor, Harris said he’s familiar with the local campaigns.

Harris noted that Merced’s November election has drawn a crowd that is more diverse than most election years. He noted that without racial slurs scrawled on the signs, it is difficult to know exactly what spurred the vandalism, but argued the acts were no accident.

“These were attempts by someone to send a much harsher message,” he said. “It has her face prominently displayed. ... I think that’s a lightning rod for some people, sadly.”

In an election year that has drawn discussions about race, and while news media have shined spotlights on acts of violence against people of color, Harris said, there’s an enhanced intensity around racial issues.

Adams said she was encouraged late Tuesday after a “Good Samaritan,” insurance agent Torrey Moe, took the initiative to fix the sign on MLK.

Adams is facing three sitting councilmen in the November election in Noah Lor, Mike Murphy and Josh Pedrozo.

Reached by phone Tuesday, Pedrozo said he has seen some of Adams’ Facebook posts about damaged signs. He called the vandalism “incredibly disrespectful,” noting the signs are paid for by candidates and their committees.

“Who knows why people do what they do?” he said. “If it’s a racially motivated thing, it’s unfortunate. I don’t see those types of issues in Merced. If that does go on, that’s incredibly disheartening.”

The 33-year-old teacher at Merced High said he hasn’t had any problems this year with vandals. Though, he said, he’s had signs damaged in past election cycles.

Murphy, who practices business law, said his signs have also remained mostly untouched.

He condemned the vandalism. “You don’t want to have that happen to anybody,” the 37-year-old said. “It’s certainly unfortunate. I hope it ends immediately.”

Lor could not be reached on Tuesday.

This story was originally published August 23, 2016 at 5:09 PM with the headline "Mayoral candidate worries vandalism fueled by racism."