A few hundred people gathered at the Bucktown home of an African-American family Friday to welcome them into the neighborhood following an incident where the letters ‘KKK’ were burned into their front lawn.

The initial incident happened a couple of months ago, shortly after Travis and Kiyanna Smith had moved in to the home near the lakefront.

The gathering on the Fourth of July moved the Smiths who said they now feel more comfortable.

“It's overwhelming,” said Travis Smith. “I mean, you know, people coming out to support and believe and stand with us -- it's unbelievable."

The people who came to the Smiths’ home Friday shook hands, sang and prayed for more racial tolerance.

"The ugly symbols burned into the lawn at this address are an offense, to not only the father and mother and small children who live here, but everyone in Jefferson Parish and beyond are saddened when they see this," said Rabbi Bob Loewy, one of the organizers.

The group also put in new sod over the lawn that had been vandalized.

"I'm very happy to see this many people supporting this family in such a disgusting circumstance, but it's nice to see people wanting to help out," said Donna Lagesse of Metairie.

"What we saw today was a community response to an act of hatred... and it was the way that Jefferson Parish and all of New Orleans said, 'we will not tolerate this kind of silliness. It's something from a bygone era, and we do not want to see it happen anymore,’" said Loewy.

The crowd kept growing. As it did, the Smith family says the message became stronger.

"You shouldn't have a limitation of how far you want to go, and by your skin color, it definitely shouldn't stop you from going where you want to go in your life," said Travis Smith.

His wife Kiyanna says she never expected such a large turnout.

Smith said, "I was astonished. You know? I'm so happy. I'm blessed. I have no fear in my heart anymore you know, we've been strengthened by all of these people, and I just appreciate them coming out here, like I said, there's people who care.”