Chicago officials search for suspect after burnt cross found in Grant Park | Chicago

Chicago authorities are searching for a suspect after a cross was burned in Grant Park earlier this week.

Around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Chicago Fire Department responded to reports that a cross had been set on fire in the park. While there were no injuries in the incident, fire crews intervened in the fire in a short time.

Chicago police have since launched Footage of a “person of interest” allegedly seen fleeing the scene. The photos show a young man who appears to be in his 20s, with black hair, wearing a black backpack, dark trousers and white sneakers.

Cross burnings have long been associated with white supremacy and racism, particularly by the Ku Klux Klan.

The Rev. Michael L Pfleger, pastor of Saint Sabina Faith Community in Chicago, offered a $10,000 reward for anyone who finds the perpetrator.

“This was planned well in advance. You built this cross somewhere. You moved it, you took it downtown. You put it in one of the most visible landmarks in Chicago, and then you set it on fire,” Pfleger said ABC7 adds: “This is a decades-old symbol of hatred, supremacy, and the Ku Klux Klan. This is their symbol.”

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who recently returned from a trip to the Vatican where he met Pope Leo, also condemned the incident.

“Like many Chicagoans in our city, we were deeply disturbed by the images that emerged after this incident. Hate has no place in our city,” Johnson said.

“Every Chicagoan deserves to feel safe, protected and respected as they go about their day or enjoy our public spaces. We will continue to work across City government to maintain this standard and ensure Chicago remains a welcoming, inclusive and safe place for everyone.”

The FBI also joined the investigation, ABC7 reported, citing an FBI spokesperson. saying: “We take all potential bias-motivated incidents seriously.”