Taking the first step
In early December 2014, prompted by recent acts of police violence toward black Americans, the staff members at First Unitarian Church of Oakland (FUCO), seeking some way to respond, agreed to propose posting a sign or two next to the front steps of the church. They came up with some alternate message options and asked the congregation present at the next Sunday’s service to vote to choose one or two. The two selected by that means said “Black Lives Matter / Brown Lives Matter / All Lives Matter,” and “We Can’t Breathe.” Those signs hung near the front steps for 8 months.