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Person of interest in Grant Park cross burning incident speaks out
NBC Chicago ^ | June 16, 2026 | Chuck Goudie, Lisa Capitanini and Nathan Halder

Posted on 06/17/2026 11:36:42 AM PDT by Twotone

UPDATE: Chicago police confirmed to NBC Chicago Tuesday morning that a person of interest in connection with the cross found burning in Grant Park was in custody. Our latest story can be found here. Our original story continues below.

It was a startling and offensive scene.

A burning cross in Grant Park last Tuesday - the century-old flaming symbol of racism and hatred.

For nearly a week, Chicago police and the FBI have been trying to identify the man who was suspected of setting up the cross and torching it.

NBC 5 Investigates has identified a 21-year-old college senior who said he is the person in the photo released by police and who described what he did and why.

The young shirtless man running from a burning cross in Grant Park had been a nameless person of interest in a Chicago police arson investigation and subject of a possible FBI hate crime case. NBC 5 Investigates has since interviewed the man who admits to the cross burning.

University of Illinois Chicago senior Merlin Lu said he knew the implications of a burning cross and had placed a MAGA hat atop the cross, explaining his motivation was to protest Trump administration injustice - not something racist.

(Excerpt) Read more at nbcchicago.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Illinois
KEYWORDS: crossburning; hoax; illinois
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1 posted on 06/17/2026 11:36:42 AM PDT by Twotone
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To: Twotone

the latest...
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/person-of-interest-in-grant-park-cross-burning-incident-in-custody-police-say/3949302/


2 posted on 06/17/2026 11:37:52 AM PDT by Twotone (Sometimes I wrestle with my demons. Sometimes we just snuggle.)
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To: Twotone

Admitted False Flag.
Shocked that NBC reported it as fake


3 posted on 06/17/2026 11:51:17 AM PDT by Zathras
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To: Twotone
If it had been a Merlin Jones

Outcomes just may have been different.


4 posted on 06/17/2026 11:57:48 AM PDT by Right Brigade (A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you,)
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To: Twotone

This is another example of the evils of the democrat party.


5 posted on 06/17/2026 12:23:54 PM PDT by NavyShoe
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