A hanging noose found in a tree of a Washington DC church has triggered the Metropolitan Police Department to investigate it as a possible hate crime.  

“These types of offences are taken seriously and are entirely unacceptable. We are currently investigating this as a possible hate crime,” the Police Department said. 

There is a black lives matter banner hanging outside the church put up following the death of George Floyd. Previously, two such banners have been stolen from the church. 

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church’s reverend said, “It is a desecration. This is a sacred space and that is a symbol of racialized hatred and it has no business in this country and the city and certainly not in a churchyard,” reported CNN. 

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In an email to the congregants, Morgan wrote that after the noose was removed by the police, she, the police officer, Jeff Kempskie, the church’s musical director and the Bishop all prayed “blessing the tree and the sacred space of our church.”

She referred to the noose, she said, “this symbol causes fear in people’s hearts,” and hopes that the church and the congregation can respond to the incident by leaning into their faith.

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She added, “I know for my faith life that everything is redeemable and God can redeem everything, even the person who decided it was a good idea to hang this thing in a tree in a courtyard.”