Investigation continues into a burning cross seen in a Chicago park on Tuesday, with city and religious responding swiftly.
Passersby saw and filmed a large burning cross in Chicago's Grant Park, near Lake Michigan, on Tuesday, June 9.
One driver, interviewed by NBC Channel 5 Chicago, described her thoughts:
Keinika Carlton, 43, was driving home from running errands with her daughter and mother-in-law when they saw the cross on fire. She said she felt a combination of shock, sadness, disgust, as well as curiosity.
“Is this a racial thing? Is this a religious thing?" she said. “As Black women, of course, our first thought is racial, because burning crosses are known to be used as a tactic, an act of violence toward Black Americans in the South.”
Authorities responded immediately. "Hate has no place in our city," Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's office said in a statement. "Every Chicagoan deserves to feel safe, protected, and respected while going about their day or enjoying our public spaces. We will continue working across City government to uphold that standard and ensure Chicago remains a welcoming, inclusive, and safe place for all."
Investigation continues
As of Thursday, the Chicago Police investigation of the incident continues. Photos of a person of interest seen exiting the park at the time of the fire have been circulated, but no arrests have been made.
Chicago religious leaders responded quickly to the incident. Chicago Archbishop Cardinal Blase Cupich, currently attending the USCCB's June assembly in Orlando, Florida, issued this statement on June 10:
Burning crosses, dramatic expressions of hatred designed to terrorize, were once sadly commonplace in our country. Yesterday, we were reminded that the sickness of spirit they symbolize exists not only in the pages of history but in our present day. Seeing a burning cross in one of Chicago’s most-visited public parks was shocking but not surprising. We condemn in the strongest terms this action and affirm that hate has no place in our country, our city and our hearts. We pledge to work with our city’s faith and community leaders to redouble our efforts to share the Gospel message that we are all children of God, made in His image.
Rev. Michael Pflegler, pastor of St. Sabina Church in Auburn Gresham and a longtime civil rights activist, offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the individual responsible for the burning cross. “This bold rise of racism must be condemned by every race, faith community and Chicagoan as was done with the swastika and treated as a hate crime,” Fr. Pflegler said.
