Lewiston has much to be proud of in its response to the hate incidents involving the city’s Somali community, and the Sun Journal has done an outstanding job in covering the incidents as they occurred and in giving a longer-term perspective on Lewiston’s Somali community, as it did in the front page feature Aug. 13.

The community rally (led by one of the city’s rabbis), the immediate investigation and arrest in the pig’s head desecration of the Somali mosque, and Lewiston Police Chief William Welch’s ongoing weekly meetings with members of the Somali community over coffee are all evidence of a city and its citizens who speak up and take positive action in the face of insults and intimidation by members of the community.

Likewise, the Somalis’ development of businesses, increasing employment and success of their children in school, combined with their own establishment of a Lewiston branch of an established community development organization focused on job training for adults, and college preparation for students, speaks to a community working actively at assimilation, and reminds us again of America’s strength in diversity.

Lewiston has a lot to be proud of.

Stephen Hudspeth, Andover