The First Unitarian Church of Wilmington wants to show it supports the movement despite backlash
Members of a Talleyville church who have had “Black Lives Matter” banners repeatedly defaced delivered a message to the vandals Wednesday: We’re not backing down.
“They can cut it as many times as they want. We are going to keep putting it up,” said Cindy Cohen, who attends First Unitarian Church of Wilmington, where about three dozen people gathered for an hour-long vigil prompted by the vandalism.
The congregation of the 730 Halstead Road church in May installed an amber and black banner in a show of support of the Black Lives Matter, a phrase that gained widespread attention out of the death of Michael Brown, an unarmed black man shot by a white police officer in suburban St. Louis two years ago Tuesday.
The phrase, and accompanying hashtag #blacklivesmatter on social media, now is associated with various efforts to address police brutality and social injustice. It also has spawned movements “All Lives Matter” and “Blue Lives Matter,” referencing police officers who have been killed.
Last week, one of the Talleyville signs — which faced busy Concord Pike — had the word “black” cut out of it. Two replacement signs also were slashed, with each act of vandalism believed to have occurred overnight. Delaware State Police are investigating, but no arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to call police at (302) 761-6677.
The hour-long vigil Wednesday at Whitby Road and U.S. 202 included supporters holding signs saying “Help Each Other” and “Black Lives Matter” and motorists honking in solidarity.
Source: Delaware News Journal | Brittany Horn and Alonzo Small
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