A Black dog walker in San Francisco faces escalating threats after his home is set on fire, highlighting deep-rooted racial tensions. His parents narrowly escape the blaze as investigators probe the hate crimes. Community rallies around the family, raising funds and demanding justice.
Home Set Ablaze After Racial Threats
A Black dog walker’s home in San Francisco was set on fire weeks after he reported receiving racially threatening packages. While he was not home during the fire, his parents were trapped upstairs and had to be rescued by firefighters.
Hate Crime Investigation Underway
Police are investigating the delivery of the racially threatening packages as hate crimes. However, they have yet to identify a suspect.
Racist Packages Arrive
Terry Williams found two threatening packages at his home, one on April 26 and another on May 5. The packages contained racist threats specifically targeting him.
Disturbing Contents Revealed
Williams described finding a plastic bag with derogatory terms and a photo of himself defaced with racial slurs. The bag also contained a stuffed doll with a noose around its neck and hateful messages.
Fire Breaks Out During Meeting
Williams was meeting with city leaders about the threats when he received a call about the fire. The fire erupted while his parents were at home.
Parents Narrowly Escape
Luddie Williams, 81, recounted how his wife, Carolyn, 79, smelled smoke before the living room turned into an inferno. They were taken to the hospital after narrowly escaping the blaze.
Bomb Squad Called In
The bomb squad was called as a precaution due to a suspicious item found at the scene. It was not a bomb, but it required safety measures.
Longtime Residents Face Turmoil
The Williams family has lived in San Francisco’s Alamo Square neighborhood since the 1970s. Their presence is notable as the city’s Black population has been dwindling due to gentrification and high housing costs.
Decline in Black Population
Since 1990, the percentage of Black San Franciscans has decreased from 10.9% to 5.7% in 2021, according to the U.S. Census. A 2020 San Francisco Human Rights Commission resolution highlighted that Black people are the only ethnic group consistently declining in the city since 1970.
Alarming Mortality Rates
The report also revealed that Black residents have the highest mortality rate in San Francisco. Nine of the top ten causes of death disproportionately affect the Black community.
Feeling Unwelcome
Jackie Brown, a native who relocated to Atlanta and then Charlotte, cited discomfort and high living costs as reasons for leaving. She felt increasingly unwelcome in her hometown.
Escalation of Racist Incidents
Terry Williams reported experiencing various racist incidents while walking dogs in his neighborhood. The situation dramatically escalated in recent weeks.
Community Support
Despite the challenges, Williams and his family have received significant community support. A GoFundMe campaign has raised over $73,000 to help keep his family safe.
Call to Action
Rev. Amos Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP, called the attacks on Williams a “tipping point” for the city. He urged more good people to stand up against racism.
Determined to Stay
Williams remains resolute despite the threats, refusing to be driven out of his home. He emphasized his determination to stay and fight, honoring the values instilled by his family.
