Cary Town Council candidate's campaign sign vandalized

Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht is responding after a candidate for Cary Town Council said one of her campaign signs was vandalized.

Sarika Bansal, candidate for Cary Town Council District D, said someone sent her a picture of her campaign sign near the Highcroft subdivision in west Cary. Her sign appears to have a photo of a young African American boy covering her sign.

"This racist, despicable act stands in stark opposition to the values we hold dear in Cary and will only serve to bring our community closer," Weinbrecht said. "We will do everything we can to get to the bottom of this."

Bansal released this written statement:

I am truly saddened by the act of vandalism and racism against my campaign.

I believe we should use it as a teaching moment for our children. Cary is home to a very diverse population that is highly educated, hard-working, and successful in many fields of business and commerce.

We must embrace diversity as a means of building strength and unity in our town. There is no place for bigotry and racism against people of color, brown or black in the Town of Cary. I call on my fellow candidates and elected officials to reject this behavior and commit themselves to working for a Cary that accepts people of all backgrounds and color.

I will continue to vigorously campaign for a seat on the Town Council to represent the most diverse district in the town and provide a strong and stable voice for the people of all colors in West Cary because there is no place for bigotry and hate in Cary.