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Police are investigating an act of vandalism at Emerson Unitarian Universalist Congregation after someone ripped down a sign urging inclusivity at the Cobb County church.

Rev. Christina Branum-Martin, the congregation���ӽ紫ý minister, said it promoted the congregation���ӽ紫ý core values. After attempting to knock over the post, the vandal ripped down the sign and stole it.

“(The sign) was a combination of a Pride flag and a statement of our values, which some people take offense to,” Branum-Martin said. “They are the values which we believe in and we will not be deterred.”

Previous pictures of the sign show that it displayed the following message:

“In this congregation, we believe: Love is love; Black lives matter; climate change is real; no human being is illegal; women���ӽ紫ý rights are human rights; all genders are whole, holy and good.”

The sign was placed on the congregation���ӽ紫ý campus next to Canton Road in an area with no security cameras.

Branum-Martin issued a statement to the congregation, saying that now, more than ever, they must stand up for their beliefs.

“We are in a moment when we, as Unitarian Universalists, are called to live our values out loud,” she said. “Our sign reminded others in the community that they are not alone.”

The congregation is currently raising funds to replace the sign. In a statement to the vandal who stole the sign, Branum-Martin had this to say:

“We understand you might feel differently about things in the world, but this is who we are, and we want to make a statement for people in the community that might feel alone, and not respected or seen. We will continue to uphold that there is a place for (them) here, especially in Cobb County. We will not be deterred by your act of violence.”

Branum-Martin said the congregation will continue to replace the sign as many times as they need to, and with each vandalism that occurs, they will consider making a donation to various minority charities and organizations.