RismadarVoice Reporters, June 18, 2026
A 21-year-old man has been charged with multiple offences, including hate crimes, following the burning of a large cross in Chicago’s Grant Park earlier this month, authorities said.
Chicago police announced that Merlin Lu was taken into custody on Monday in connection with the June 9 incident, which involved a cross being set ablaze in the public park.
According to police, Lu faces four felony charges and four misdemeanour counts. The felony charges include two counts of hate crime, as well as arson and criminal damage to government property. The misdemeanour charges include reckless conduct, breach of peace, property damage, and cross burning with intent to intimidate.
Investigators alleged that the fire damaged city property and that the act constituted a hate crime due to the historical significance of cross burnings in the United States.
The incident prompted a police investigation after a burning cross was discovered in Grant Park. Authorities later released an image of a suspect before identifying and arresting Lu.
In media interviews before his arrest, Lu acknowledged setting the cross on fire but insisted his actions were intended as a political protest against President Donald Trump’s administration rather than an act motivated by racial or religious hatred.
He said he was aware of the historical association between cross burnings and racial intimidation but claimed he did not fully understand the extent of the symbolism at the time.
Lu, a senior student at the University of Illinois Chicago, stated that he placed a red cap associated with Trump’s “Make America Great Again” movement on the cross as part of the demonstration.
While apologising to anyone offended by the act, he maintained that he intended to express political opposition rather than target any racial, ethnic, or religious group.
Authorities, however, proceeded with hate crime charges based on the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Police said Lu remained in custody as of Wednesday, and a detention hearing was scheduled for Thursday.
It was not immediately clear whether he had secured legal representation to respond to the charges.
