The Adel community came out Wednesday evening to the Stage and Pavilion to take part in a solidarity rally against racism and bigotry.

The event came about after a residence in Adel was defaced with hate speech graffiti on June 8th, with community leaders wanting to show the City’s togetherness in the face of intolerance. Pastor Eric Trout from Restoration Church in Adel emceed the event, which featured speeches from former ADM teacher Pat Stalter, Justin Lewis with Des Moines Selma, Bishop Ron Woods from Prevailing Church in Chicago, and Pastor Ryan Whitson from New Hope Church in Adel.

Trout said he was pleased with the turnout for the event, which had an attendance over 100 people, considering the community had never held this type of gathering and they weren’t sure what to expect. In spite of that uncertainty, he felt it was important to bring Adel residents together to learn and grow. “I think it’s really easy dismiss that because there’s not a large amount of different ethnicities in town that racism just isn’t here. It’s obviously here, it may not be as vocal, but it’s starting to become vocal. It’s visible, and like I said tonight, we can’t hide from it.”

Trout also discussed what he hopes the attendees took away from the rally. “I think my ultimate hope is that people are not going to consider this as a shot in the dark, one time event. I hope that this is the starting point of the conversation, they continue the conversation, they reach out to other people of color, and begin to learn and become and activist to fight against racism.”

The graffiti incident is currently under investigation by the Adel Police Department. They have a suspect, but no arrests have been made.