A "Black Lives Matter" sign featured at the front entrance of a Williamsville church has been vandalized.
The word "black" in "Black Lives Matter" was sprayed over with black paint sometime Wednesday at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Amherst. A complaint has been filed with Amherst Police.
The sign has been up for more than a year. Rev. Michelle Buhite says in the beginning, they received some calls and letters about it, but after that, things quieted down. Buhite says she hopes the incident sparks renewed conversation about race relations.
"We've been having the conversation within our congregation around white privilege and racial justice," Buhite told WBFO. "Our wish is that this becomes a catalyst for greater conversation and greater understanding."
Buhite says the act only reinforces the church's commitment to tackling issues of racial justice.
"It's a reminder that, no, we're not done with this. We are very much in the thick of racial inequities in our society. We are called to respect the inherent worth and dignity of every person," she said.
Buhite says church leaders are looking into whether the sign can be repaired or if it needs to be replaced.
