Church members undeterred by recent thefts of ‘Black Lives Matter’ signs

The backlash that the Unitarian Universalist Church in Cherry Hill has experienced since hanging a "Black Lives Matter" banner outside the house of worship isn't unexpected, church officials said. But while disturbing, it's not keeping them from promoting an upcoming forum on the subject.

So far, two "Black Lives Matter" signs have been stolen from the Unitarian Universalist Church in Cherry Hill and there has also been some vandalism involving the sign itself and the lighting that illuminated the banner. Both banners were stolen from the North Kings Highway property within a month, with the most recent theft this past Sunday.

Christina McLean, the church's business administrator, told NJ 101.5 that although it seems clear that someone in the community is sending the church a message in an effort to demonstrate that they're unhappy with the "Black Lives Matter" sign, the church has decided to replace the banners. McLean said two two banners have already been ordered, and if they're taken again, they'll order more.

"It’s been happening around the country so we kind of expected it to happen," McLean said.

She added that this past weekend when the banner was stolen, church members also discovered that the vandals had broken a piece of the actual wooden sign holding the banner. In addition, one of the lights that is set up to illuminate the sign had been smashed.

The Rev. Joe Green, who is the minister-in-residence for the church, said while troubling, the thefts and vandalism aren't a huge concern at the moment. Green said officials have considered the fact that the church may become a target for future incidents but she doesn't believe the congregants are in any immediate danger.

"The thought has crossed our minds, and we’re not overly concerned at the moment but we are being a little more cautious, but it’s not in the forefront of our minds," Green said. "I don’t have a feeling that the people who did that will be vengeful enough to take it out on human beings. I don’t think it will escalate."

On Thursday at 7 p.m., the church is planning to host a forum on "Why black lives matter in South Jersey."

Camden County Freeholder Jonathan Young Sr. said the recent vandalism will not deter the community from welcoming the forum at the church.

“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," Young said. "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.”

The two-hour forum, Green said, will involve six panelists ranging from elected officials to religious leaders, discussing the issue, followed by a question and answer session.

"We want discussions," Green said. "We really don’t want any anger, we don’t want violence or any kind of retribution."

Still, church officials have decided to take some precautions for Thursday's forum. Green said they have hired one police officer to provide security during the event although they aren't really anticipating any major problems.

Toniann Antonelli is the digital managing editor for news at NJ 101.5. Reach her at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.