Chicago cross burning takes shocking turn as student suspect breaks silence (opens original article in a new tab)

A Chicago cross-burning incident led to a suspect being in custody, with the 21-year-old student claiming his act was a political protest rather than a hate crime.

• A 21-year-old college student was identified as a person of interest in the cross-burning incident in Chicago's Grant Park.
• The student claimed his act was a protest against President Trump and not a racist statement, though the cross is historically associated with hate groups.
• Chicago's mayor stated the impact of the cross-burning was devastating, regardless of the suspect's stated intentions.
• The incident occurred in a park significant for Barack Obama's 2008 presidential acceptance speech.