ARLINGTON - Two teenagers are under arrest after they turned themselves into police Saturday and said they are responsible for setting a cross on fire outside a local pastor's house this week.
The arrests came just as the community took a stand and marched against racism.
An estimated 500 people marched through the streets of Arlington with a message of acceptance and tolerance.
"We're against racism and that's the bottom line," said Kevin Schindler as he marched through with the crowd. "We're here to support, the city, the town and the people that are involved."
"There's a small group of people out here that feel the way they did. It's wrong and we want them to know," said marcher Tom Hudson.
The march is in response to a hate crime against Pastor Jason Martin who is African American.
He moved his family to an upscale neighborhood in Arlington to give his seven kids a safe place to live.
"We live here for the community, for the awesome environment, but something like this happens, it causes you to wonder 'where we're going?'" said Martin.
Before dawn last Wednesday someone set a cross on fire in his front yard.
Police are investigating whether the case is connected to a vandalism at the high school last year when someone spray painted "KKK" and "White Power".
"One person's act of evil is not the majority attitude in our community," said Martin.
City and school leaders asked Martin to speak at a unity rally following the march.
Martin is a pastor at a church with a diverse congregation. Saturday he lead a whole community with a message of unity.
"Things are going to happen" he said, "I know some of you might not understand that. But sometimes it takes difficult things to bring change."
It turns out the two teens who confessed to police are former Arlington High School students. They will be charged with felony malicious harassment.
The teens are being held at the Denny Youth Center in Everett, they will appear before a judge on Monday.
The FBI is helping investigate the case. They say they have dozens of leads, including some that point to teenagers known for their racist views.
Sunday supporters from Martin's congregation plan on holding a prayer session on his front lawn where the burning cross was found.
