Community members and leaders in Hempstead responded to last week?s incident of racial graffiti Tuesday with a press conference and a demand for peace.

Last Thursday, it was discovered a racial slur against Hispanics had been scrawled in wet cement in the driveway of two homes. The incident occurred less than a week after the fatal stabbing of a Hispanic immigrant in Patchogue.

"Let today be the day that cowardly bigots learn that we will not stand by and let them plant their feet of hate on Leverich Street here in the village of Hempstead," Village of Hempstead Mayor Wayne Hall said Tuesday.

People who live on Leverich Street, where the slur was found, said they were surprised by the incident because of the racial diversity of the surrounding community. Hall said the slab will be removed.

Village officials are planning an anti-hate march and vigil for Saturday.