No Detractors Show Up At Lansdale Church Forum Over 'Black Lives Matter' Sign

Despite a furious backlash over social media and through phone calls and emails after Lansdale’s Trinity Church posted a ‘Black Lives Matter’ sign on their lawn, no detractors were present at a public forum Wednesday night which the church held to discuss the issue.

“We wish to explore how we might work together with our neighbors to reduce such discrimination and racism,” Reverend Paul Lutz said in a statement announcing the meeting. “Therefore, we are inviting all interested neighbors to join us.”

The neighbors that were against the sign - the same neighbors for which the meeting was obstensibly held to appease - did not show up, however.

Attendees of the meeting said that there was a chance for both a panel of speakers and members of the audience to speak, and none of them expressed vehemence over the idea of the sign.

It was the opposite from what the church had initially reported in the fallout after the sign was first posted.

Insulting, harassing, and ridiculing phone calls and emails flooded the church, according to Rev. Paul Lutz.

Angry messages continued to be posted to the church’s Facebook page on Thursday, however.

“It looks like you’re happy about all of the publicity,” said Mike Fusca. “Here’s a thought, why don’t go back to preaching God’s word instead of confusing people and making them upset about current event issues?”

Many were convinced that ‘Black Lives Matter’ implies that other lives do not matter, especially those of police officers.

“I am ashamed to live in an area with a “church” that thinks they can say who’s lives matter and who’s don’t,” said Heather Myers.

Lutz said that this was a “serious misunderstanding.”

“Trinity does not support hate groups. We believe that all lives matter. We are grateful for the service and dedication of all first responders, especially our Lansdale police, fire and emergency teams. We are, however, concerned about the old, old story that suggests black lives matter less than white lives.”