A Black Lives Matter banner in front of the First Congregational Church in Sheffield, Mass., was defaced this week when somebody covered it with a cardboard sign showing an offensive message.
According to Sheffield police, the incident happened sometime late Sunday night or early Monday morning.
Police have checked surveillance cameras in the area, and the cardboard sign was sent to the Massachusetts state crime lab for analysis. The banner was put up last month in support of the Black Lives Matter protests across the country.
First Congregational Church Pastor Jill Graham says it’s disappointing to see such an act happen in the community.
"I was horrified. People wonder why we need a Black Lives Matter movement, and if they were still wondering, that wondering can cease, because the very act of placing that message over the sign demonstrated why we need a Black Lives Matter movement," said Graham.
Sheffield police are asking anyone with any information about the incident to call the station at 413-229-8522.