Just days after being replaced, a “Black Lives Matter” banner has been stolen from outside an Appleton church. The latest theft marks the third time the banner has been stolen from the Fox Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship on Calumet Street.

“We are saddened and deeply disturbed by the recent criminal activity on our property,” Rev. Kathleen Rolenz said in a news release. “As soon as a new sign is ordered, we’ll replace it. Whoever has been stealing the sign obviously has not read our explanation of why we continue to hang a Black Lives Matter sign and what it means to us, a predominantly white congregation. We encourage members of the community to go to our website and read about our sign. I’d be happy to meet with anyone who wants to have a conversation. However, for those who commit a crime, we have no choice but to prosecute.”

The banner was rededicated in a ceremony last Friday afternoon. It was discovered to be missing Monday morning around 9 a.m. The church first put up a “Black Lives Matter” banner in February 2015.

WTAQ