Overview
- A large wooden cross was set on fire in Grant Park on June 9, a motorist filmed the blaze, and police released images of a person of interest that circulated online.
- Merlin Lu, 21, told NBC he built the cross, placed a red hat on it to symbolize a MAGA cap, and burned it as a protest against President Trump’s supporters; he has said he did not intend a racist message.
- Chicago police arrested Lu and on June 18 charged him with multiple counts including felony arson, criminal damage and two felony hate‑crime counts plus several misdemeanors.
- The FBI and other law‑enforcement agencies joined the probe because burning crosses are historically linked to racial terror, and prosecutors will need to show the act targeted a protected group to sustain the hate‑crime counts.
- The episode drew strong condemnation from city leaders and clergy, prompted a $10,000 reward for information, and has opened public debate over symbolism, intent and how prosecutors should weigh stated motive against the cross’s history.