The Unitarian Universal Church has had three "Black Lives Matter" banners stolen so far.
CHERRY HILL TWP. -- After vandals struck the Unitarian Universal Church for a second time -- stealing two "Black Lives Matter" banners in the process -- a Camden County freeholder is calling out the "cowards" behind the thefts.
The most recent vandalism -- where banners were taken, a light was a shattered and wooden frame smashed -- was discovered Sunday morning by a church administrator.
"To the cowards that attempted to send a message of hate and intolerance by ripping down the 'Black Lives Matter' banners from the Unitarian Universalist Church in Cherry Hill, not once but twice, we have a message for you: Our commitment to discuss this issue is stronger, and our conviction to hold this important conversation has been reinforced and this dialogue is even more timely based on these obscene actions," Freeholder Jonathan Young Sr. said in a statement issued late Tuesday.
The first banner theft was discovered earlier this month and the church later replaced it. Cherry Hill police were not available for comment Wednesday to discuss the incident they investigated Sunday morning.
The banners, which read "Black Lives Matter. Join the Discussion Here," were hung in January ahead of a planned Feb. 25 discussion on the movement's effects in South Jersey.
In a Feb. 22 photo shared on Facebook by the church, a stop-gap "Black Lives Matter" sign and second below noting the date of the community discussion hang from a repaired wooden frame.
Two Facebook users who responded to the photo called the church a "joke," "racist," and "a disgrace to religion and this community." The church responded to one Facebook user by inviting them to the forum and telling another that most of the congregation are white.
Camden County took a similar stance Tuesday evening.
"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," Young added.
What's more, Young will be among a half-dozen South Jersey leaders taking part in the panel discussion. The announcement made Wednesday morning states Pennsauken Councilman Rick Taylor, Rev. Eric Dobson, Willingboro police Lt. James Hawkins, Rev. Kamili Leath, of Destiny Church in Moorestown, and Keith Benson, of the Camden County NAACP, will be in attendance.
Regarding the community discussion, Unitarian Universal Church Rev. Christian Schmidt previously told NJ Advance Media, "Everyone's invited ... The banner says, 'Join the Discussion Here.'"
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Posted by Unitarian Universalist Church in Cherry Hill on Monday, February 22, 2016