BURLINGTON, Mass. (AP) - Muslim leaders and clergy of other faiths have rallied in support of a suburban Boston mosque spray-painted with "USA" graffiti.
The rally at the Islamic Center of Burlington was meant to counter anti-Muslim sentiment and was themed "We are Americans."
Supporters wrote positive messages on a large white paper hung outside the mosque, where the graffiti was written repeatedly in red spray paint over the Halloween weekend.
>>READ MORE: Police arrest 2 for 'USA' graffiti, smashed eggs at Burlington mosque
Organizers expressed gratitude to law enforcement for their quick response though they still want prosecutors to pursue hate crime charges.
Two 18-year-old Burlington men have been charged with malicious destruction of property over $250.
The Massachusetts chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations says the graffiti reflects a common Islamophobic theme that Muslims are not "real Americans."
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