More than 200 turned out to see diversity in action on Saturday, Feb. 23 as poets, politicians, singers and dancers all made appearances at the Second Annual Agape Baptist Church’s Diversity Healing Fair at 501 N. First St. in Patterson.

The event began with a prayer service at about 11 a.m., in which Mayor Luis Molina spoke. It ended with children playing in a bounce house and body painting.

“We want the community to get involved,” said Frank King, Agape head deacon. “We’re trying to involve people of different cultures and get people back out in the community — not just staying home.”

The celebration of diversity was started in response to the deaths of local youngsters Juliani Cardenas, 4, and Hussan Williams, 10, who were killed by adults in separate incidents in 2011.

Molina said the message of the event was about being together.

“We’re going to stick together as a community, and (Agape) has done a great job bringing in different cultures and celebrating African-American heritage,” he said. “I definitely support them 100 percent.”

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