Construction workers building the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago allegedly found a rope described as a noose at the work site.
The joint venture of black-owned companies, formed specifically to construct the presidential center, announced work was suspended Thursday in response to the alleged find.
“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,” Lakeside Alliance said, according to an NBC 5 Chicago report. “We are suspending all operations onsite in order to provide another series of these trainings and conversations for all staff and workers.”
Lakeside Alliance is offering a reward of $100,000 for help, according to the NBC 5 report.
Three construction workers reportedly told NBC 5 off-camera that the noose was found in the core of an elevator shaft. That is an area that only workers have access to, the workers claimed.
Police are reviewing security video footage, the report noted.
A museum, public library, athletic center, children’s playground and test kitchen are planned as part of the Obama Presidential Center. The privately funded center has been delayed by many lawsuits and had just begun construction in earnest before Wednesday’s incident.
“This shameless act of cowardice and hate is designed to get attention and divide us,” said an Obama Foundation spokesperson in a statement. “Our priority is protecting the health and safety of our workforce.
“We have notified authorities who are investigating the incident.”
“The Chicago Police Department is aware of this matter and it is under investigation,” Alex Aguas, a police spokesperson, said in an email.
The Chicago Police Department has not described the rope as a noose, nor is the department requiring Lakeside Alliance to halt construction, according to a Fox News report.
“Hate has no place in Illinois,” declared Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-IL). “The noose is more than a symbol of racism, it is a heart-stopping reminder of the violence and terror inflicted on Black Americans for centuries.”
Scroll down to leave a comment and share your thoughts.
