Cross burned on lawn of N.J. Obama supporters

An Obama supporter in New Jersey woke up Thursday morning to discover the remnants of a cross burning on his front lawn.

Wrapped around the charred 6-foot cross was a scorched homemade banner congratulating president-elect Obama on his victory.

State police are calling the incident a bias crime.

Gary Grewal, 51, of Hardwick Township, Warren County, was taking his daughter to work at 7:30 a.m. when he spotted the remains of the cross.

"I saw this thing in my front yard," Grewal said. "I didn't know what it was."

Draped over the fallen cross, made of 2-by-4s and a metal sign post, was a banner reading "President Obama Victory 08" his wife Anlina had fashioned Tuesday night from an old bed sheet.

Only the lawn was scarred. Early morning rain had doused the fire before it could reach nearby bushes and an electrical transformer box.

Gary Grewal, who is of Indian descent, said he wasn't taking the incident personally.

"Sure, something like this hurts you," he said. "But I don't want to be intimidated. Who's anyone to tell me how to think and behave."

State troopers removed the burnt wood and metal.

"We are going to vigorously pursue whoever did this," said Lt. Gerald Lewis, spokesman for the state police. "We're treating this very seriously."