ASHEVILLE, N.C. (WLOS) — An Asheville-based office space housing a nonprofit that works to promote LGBTQ equality across the South was broken into over the weekend, a spokesperson for the nonprofit said.
The Campaign for Southern Equality office space was broken into around 4:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 20, according to a spokesperson. The office is located in the basement of First Congregational Church in Asheville.
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Footage from church security cameras show one person stealing CSE’s safe, which included a small amount of cash and several undeposited checks and undisturbed items in the office. The spokesperson said no other items were taken, and there was no indication that any confidential information was accessed. No on was harmed during the burglary.
A statement released Saturday afternoon by CSE says that there is no indication the break-in was politically or personally motivated, and CSE is working with local authorities to address the break-in. CSE will operate as usual this week.
Below is the full statement from the Campaign for Southern Equality:
“Early Saturday morning around 4:30 a.m., a person broke into the Campaign for Southern Equality’s office space, located in the basement of First Congregational Church in Asheville, North Carolina. From the church security cameras we know that one person stole CSE’s safe, which included a small amount of cash and several undeposited checks, and disturbed items in the office. No other items or information were taken. There is no indication that any confidential information was accessed.
As an organization that serves the LGBTQ+ community we are deeply familiar with concerns of safety and privacy. At this time, there is nothing to suggest that the break-in was politically or personally motivated. It is important to note that no graffiti, notes or other communications were left by the individual. Pictures and other memorabilia were undisturbed and left up on the walls and on desks.
Our staff, board, and stakeholders have been notified and we are working with local authorities to address the situation. In the past year the CSE team has taken steps to improve our safety protocols, and we will continue to strengthen security systems. We are grateful for the community’s support and solidarity around this unsettling incident and beyond.
Thankfully no one was harmed and CSE will be able to continue operations this coming week without too much interruption. Our commitment to working toward lived and legal equality for all LGBTQ+ Southerners is unwavering.”
