As protests and racial unrest continue across the country, protesters say this one hits close to home.

Joya Stuckman lived in her apartment on First Street in Rome for three years. She said during that time she was continuously reminded she was not welcomed.

"The 'N word' was thrown around, or just racial comments were made any time I came outside or had company," said Stuckman.

When Joya finally decided to move, she said neighbors left her with one final reminder that she didn’t belong.

"There was graffiti on the side of the truck, specifically saying 'Go Home Ni**ers' with swastikas," said Stuckman.

When the police arrived, they informed her that the tires were slashed and there was more vandalism on the other sides of the property, including the words "white supremacy" and "1488," which according to Dictionary.com is a "a secret code used by neo-Nazis and other white supremacists to identify and signal their ideology."

Joya said now she’s using her voice to end racism and she’s calling out the police who she said mishandled the situation in the process.

She said now, police are investigating the act with seriousness but she didn’t feel that was always the case.

After waiting almost an hour for police to arrive, she said police downplayed the harshness of the situation.

"Unfortunately, the young man tried to convince me that a swastika sign was a sign of peace...but if we negate the signs, look at the words, those weren’t written backwards, those weren’t written incorrectly," said Stuckman.

As community members rally around Joya, they said this is about looking at their past and changing the future of Rome, and continuing to fight until Rome feels like home for everyone.

Rome Police say the incident is being investigated by Rome’s Detective Division.

They ask anyone with information to reach out to police at (315) 339-7712.