Last week Surjit Malhi, a Sikh, was physically attacked while he was placing signs for Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA).
According to Fox News, two men threw sand into his eyes, beat him in the head and the chest, and spray-painted “go back to your country” on his truck.
At the time of the attack, Malhi was wearing his turban, a head covering worn by people of the Sikh faith, which he claims helped prevent him from further head injuries.
A photo of the vandalized truck was shared on Facebook by a friend of Malhi’s child.
Police are investigating and looking into the incident as a potential hate crime and an assault with a deadly weapon.
Malhi, who flies an American flag outside his house, says his assailants’ actions are “not the American way.”
“If you’re a real American, if you love America, you should not do that,” he added.
The community is coming to Malhi’s defense, including his fellow members of the CrossFit ParaBellum gym and members from a local Mormon church who helped clean his yard and truck.
Scott and Renee Sedgwick, the owners of the gym, told Fox News that they wanted to make sure Malhi felt welcome in the community after the attack.
Malhi is known in the community for helping the homeless victims of the fires, and for being a supporter of the Stanislaus County GOP.
“This group right here is proof that hate will not prevail,” the gym said in an Instagram post with a photo of the members in front of Malhi’s house. “Surjit Malhi is truly loved and today we helped him realize he belongs here in America just like the rest of us. Our ParaBellum family dropped everything to come out and clean up his truck and yard.”
“Our family will not be broken and we will always stand by each other’s side,” the post concludes.
Denham also spoke to Malhi personally while he was hospitalized.
“Hate crimes have no place in our society,” Denham told Fox News. “The people responsible for this reprehensible act of hatred must be brought to justice.”
“Inciting violence because of race, religion or political beliefs should never be tolerated,” he continued. “We will continue to foster a campaign of inclusiveness and advocate for a free and civil exchange of ideas. It’s shameful that there are those out there who seek to intimidate and commit acts of violence to achieve their goals.”
The police are still looking for the suspects described as two white men who wore black hooded sweatshirts.