CHICAGO — Foundation officials are condemning a “hate” incident that occurred Thursday morning at the site of former President Barack Obama’s presidential center in Jackson Park on the South Side of Chicago.
Officials say a noose was discovered at the project site and construction has been halted.
”We reported the incident to the police and will provide any assistance required to identify those responsible,” Lakeside Alliance, the construction team building the center, said in an emailed release.
”We have zero tolerance for any form of bias or hate on our worksite. Anti-bias training is included in our onboarding process and reiterated during site-wide meetings. We are suspending all operations onsite in order to provide another series of these trainings and conversations for all staff and workers,” the statement said.
They are offering a $100,000 reward to help find whoever was responsible. In a statement, the foundation confirmed that there was a “shameless act of cowardice and hate” at the site.
“Our priority is protecting the health and safety of our workforce. We have notified authorities who are investigating the incident.”
Foundation officials have said the museum will pay tribute to Obama’s legacy as the country’s first Black president, and has endeavored to economically uplift the neighboring majority-Black South Side.
Lakeside Alliance is a cohort of African American-owned construction firms. City work to prepare for construction began in the spring of 2021, with the Obamas returning to Chicago for an official groundbreaking that September.
Trees have been cleared and concrete poured for the museum building and the complex’s parking garage.
When complete, the campus will include the towering museum building, a forum and a Chicago Public Library branch, as well as greenspace connecting the space to the rest of Jackson Park.
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