The Smiths, who are Black, moved into a largely white neighborhood in this New Orleans suburb in May and found the threatening burns in their front yard a few days later. When their approaches to neighbors didn’t stop the reappearance of the lawn burns—this time in their backyard—they spoke out publicly.

The July 4 action was larger than anticipated. After several speakers answered the racist attacks, dozens of participants picked up shovels and wheelbarrows and worked to plant fresh sod over the damaged lawn.

—JACQUIE HENDERSON