This is a response to a Sun Journal editorial printed Aug. 20 entitled “Community lessons in tolerance.”

In the 17th century, many innocent Europeans suffered under authorities because of their religious beliefs. Consequently, thousands came to America to escape persecution and exercise religious freedom.

In the 19th century, President Abraham Lincoln wrote, “Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”

Today, America is a proud home to millions of people from all nations, ethnicities and religious backgrounds.

Ironically, this nation, founded on freedom, historically has not dealt well with ignorance and bigotry. The recent incident of a pig’s head thrown into a holy place in Lewiston is a tragic example of such intolerance. The act was an abominable crime that disrespected the religious freedom of Somali Muslims. The offender specifically picked a pig’s head, knowing that Muslims, like Jews, consider pigs impure. Many buy the excuse that the man didn’t know that pigs are impure in Islam. This excuse is flimsy at best, and an outright lie at worst. Ignorance is not an excuse for violating the law.

The most disappointing aspect of the entire situation is the support the man has received from the owners and patrons of a local bar and grill for his hateful act. It is also outrageous that the Lewiston Police Department neglected to put out a public statement, thus downplaying the seriousness of the offense. The public deserves to know the steps that the LPD is taking to address those issues.

Having a fundraiser to support a lawbreaker is ridiculous, and considering him a patriot is outrageous. To be a patriotic American is to be respectful of one’s nation and its laws. Breaking the law and being hateful of fellow Americans because of the color of their skin, or their religious beliefs, is about as unpatriotic as one can get.

There were no apologies for the man’s action, no clarification that the family or other partygoers disagreed with the pig masks. It is immoral and distasteful to minimize the illegality of a hate crime with a celebration, such as what the fundraiser turned into.

We, as Americans, should see these events for what they are and take the proper action. What that man did was disgusting, and sends a fearful and threatening message to freedom-loving citizens. Throwing a blood-dripping pig’s head into a sacred place of worship is a vile act, and Lewiston institutions should neither support nor tolerate it.

We are Somali students who consider Lewiston and Auburn our home.

Isha Mahamud, Lewiston; Khadra Ennaw, Auburn, on behalf of the Somali Student Union of Maine