Lawrence Residents Rally After Black Lives Matter Signs Stolen

LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NJ — After Black Lives Matter signs were stolen and vandalized in Lawrence Township, residents decided to take matters into their own hands.

Eight groups, each composed of family and friends, held Black Lives Matter flags, and stood about every mile along the roughly eight miles of Route 206 between Ewing and Princeton between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday afternoon. The action connected two Black Lives Matter events that were taking place in those towns.

Four Lawrence Township families said they had their signs stolen or defaced. One family had their sign defaced with white spray paint on both sides, and then it was stolen a week later.

It was immediately replaced after it was vandalized, but the homeowner wanted to keep it up as a reminder and also had a second one at their home that was up. It was stolen on Friday night.

"I was born and raised in Princeton, live in Lawrence, and have been distributing Black Lives Matter signs within our community for many years," Martha Friend said. "There have been issues in the past with theft, but things have escalated, especially with the defacement. My fellow Lawrence residents and I gathered to show our commitment to fighting for Black Lives and connecting our community with the Black Lives Matter actions that were happening in Ewing and Princeton. A commitment to anti-racist schools, neighborhoods, and government, and love for our Black neighbors, flows through Lawrence. We will not be silenced."

Images from the action are attached to this post and can be found below. All images were provided by Jennifer Lea Cohan.

Zackary Everson

BrieAnna Corcoran

Kate & Rich Schumacher family

Mary Montavan-McPhillip, Ted & Jane Fetter, and friends

Heather Camp family

Adena Ratliff with daughter

Kelly Cleland family

Sherri & Chris Ahlers