Black Lives Matter Banner Stolen from Reston Church

Black Lives Matter Banner Stolen from Reston Church

Contact: Rev. Dr. Debra W. Haffner
revdebrahaffner@uureston.org  
203 - 984-5638

The Black Lives Matter banner was stolen just days after it was installed.

(Reston, Virginia, June 19, 2020) Last night, the Black Lives Matter banner in front of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston was stolen, less than one week after it was installed. 

“We hung a Black Lives Matter banner in front of our church property at this moment in time to demonstrate our support of those who are protesting the murders of black people by police and as a visible symbol of our commitment to ending racism and white supremacy. said Rev. Dr. Debra W. Haffner, minister at UUCR. “As Unitarian Universalists we believe in living our faith aloud and the inherent dignity and worth of all people. Our congregation’s vision is to work for justice and equity for all people, especially those who have been marginalized and oppressed.”

UUCR installed the Black Lives Matter banner one week after holding a vigil to support Black Lives in response to the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. 

“We will not be deterred by this hate crime. We have ordered a new flag, and we will continue to hang a Black Lives Matter banner on our property. We hope that other churches, synagogues and mosques will put a Black Lives Matter banner on their property as well, so that our Black neighbors know that we stand with them in their quest for freedom and justice.“ The Unitarian Universalist Church in Reston also has a large Rainbow Flag on its property to support its LGBTQ+ neighbors, that has been stolen three times.