The Unitarian Universalist Church has been struck by vandals... again.
CHERRY HILL TWP. -- The Unitarian Universalist Church's stance on the "Black Lives Matter" movement has apparently drawn the ire of vandals yet again.
Church members on Sunday morning discovered one of two large orange banners that hang outside the house of the worship had been slashed, Cherry Hill police Chief William Monaghan said Monday.
Church officials are asking authorities to investigate this latest incident as a hate crime, as the others were deemed thefts by police.
"We investigate everything and let the investigation take its course," Monaghan said when asked about the possibility of the repeated incidents being a type of hate crime.
The chief added that detectives hoped to speak with church officials Monday and that the Camden County Prosecutor's Office had been consulted in connection with the other incidents.
"They have the right to free speech," Monaghan said when asked about any measures taken regarding taking the sign down or moving it to a different location.
This most recent incident mirrors what has previously happened to other "Black Lives Matter" banners the church had hung ahead of a February community discussion addressing the issue.
"Your hate crime is not going to stop us from addressing the current climate of race in America today at a public forum Thursday evening. Instead of cowardly vandalizing a church, you should attend the forum and learn something," Camden County Freeholder Jonathan Young said in a statement last month.
After reports of continued vandalism -- not to mention the church continuing to replace the stolen or damaged banners -- South Jersey officials later joined the discussion as panel members.
The first incident of vandalism reported by the church involved one of the signs being stolen. Not long after, someone stole both signs as well as smashed the wooden frame the signs hung from and two outdoor lights.
The damage done during the latter incident cost the church between $300 and $400, church officials estimated at the time.
"We're very much committed to racial justice in the long haul," Rev. Christian Schmidt previously told NJ Advance Media. "It's certainly not going to stop us from talking. If they want to return that banner too, that'd be great."
Back in business!
Posted by Unitarian Universalist Church in Cherry Hill on Monday, February 22, 2016
