Man charged with hate crime after burning cross in Chicago park

A 21-year-old man appeared in court June 18 on four felony charges, including a hate crime, after prosecutors reportedly said he burned a large wooden cross in Chicago's Grant Park earlier this month.

Merlin Lu, of Naperville, Illinois, was arrested at his home after authorities identified him as the suspect in the June 9 cross burning, according to ABC 7 Chicago News. Prosecutors said Lu later admitted to starting the fire, claiming he wanted to send a message to the Trump administration. 

When questioned by police, Lu said he was protesting the Trump administration, stating that he believes the President is the “greatest threat” to America along with [Trump’s] “Christian nationalist base.” 

According to AP News, prosecutors said in a court filing that Lu constructed a wooden cross in Grant Park, doused it with kerosene, and set it on fire. The outlet also reported that a red "Make America Great Again" hat was attached to the cross. The fire spread to a nearby tree before firefighters responded and extinguished it. 

The outlet noted that burning crosses have long been associated with racial intimidation and hatred in the U.S. Lu told reporters that his actions had "nothing to do with race" or gender. 

AP News reported that Lu is facing four felony charges and four misdemeanors, including property damage, arson, and burning a cross to intimidate. He is scheduled to return to court June 22.