The Binkley Memorial Baptist Church in Chapel Hill reported banners on its property were vandalized on Friday night.

According to Senior Minister Marcus McFaul, three of the church’s banners placed along Fordham Boulevard near Willow Drive were burned, including ones that said “Black Lives Matter” and “Vote.”

McFaul said he returned to the church Friday night around 8:15 p.m. after a visit to Durham to discover two of the banners actively burning. He said he believes the fires may have been started shortly before he arrived.

“15-501 is a busy strip,” McFaul said to Chapelboro. “No one else had driven in to the church to call 911, but shortly after I got out of my car, two other cars pulled in to make sure we were going to put the fire out.”

The minister said after calling 911, police and fire vehicles traveled to Binkley Baptist and successfully put out the fires. The “Vote” banner was entirely ruined by flames, he said, while the “Black Lives Matter” banner sustained some severe damage to a corner.

McFaul said a sweep of the property on Saturday morning later revealed another banner, a multi-color one with messages like “Love is Love,” also sustained some fire damage.

The congregation of Binkley Baptist holds regular vigils and demonstrations to share their support of racial justice and equality, with the weekly vigils starting this past summer following the death of George Floyd.

McFaul said while his church understands there is a wide range of political and partisan beliefs in Chapel Hill, his congregation has clearly indicated their support of justice, inclusion and love for all people over many decades.

“That’s why those signs were up there in the first place,” said McFaul. “Someone can try to destroy property, but they’re not going to snuff out our resolve. This is who we are.”

A Chapel Hill Police Department is investigating the fires, according to a spokesperson.

Photo via Binkley Memorial Baptist Church.

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