Passersby left shocked after burning cross spotted in Grant Park

Local News Passersby left shocked after burning cross spotted in Grant Park By Jermont Terry Jermont Terry Reporter Jermont Terry joined the CBS 2 team in October 2019. He's born and raised on Chicago's South Side. He's happy to return home to report on his community after 18 years of uncovering stories across the country. Read Full Bio Jermont Terry Updated on: June 10, 2026 / 12:48 AM EDT / CBS Chicago Add CBS News on Google A strange and what some call disturbing sight in Grant Park on Tuesday — a burning cross.Chicago police spent about three hours investigating the cross burning earlier in the day. Though much information about the incident was not released, the sight here in the public park stirred emotions and shocked many.The flames from the cross burning in the middle of Grant Park were visible to anyone driving or walking down Columbus Drive. It left Keinika Carlton and her daughter, Alyna, in pure disbelief. "How did this happen? Like, I'm sure the people walking past saw someone walking down the street with a cross, sit up there, and light a fire to it. I'm surprised there wasn't more people watching this," Keinika said.The two were driving near Grant Park. They didn't see who started it, but they say it stirred up many emotions. "I know my grandmothers and great grandmothers and grandfathers have experienced in real time, life in the South. So immediately I just felt sad," Keinika said."It's very hurting. Even in schools, they make it seem like things like that was so long ago and we're making so much progress, and we're clearly not. There is no progress because it's clearly happening to this day in broad daylight," Alyna said. CPD has not said much about this incident. "This was something that was used against Black people in the South," Keinika said.It is unclear if the incident was racial, as the act implies, or if it is connected with something else. Either way, the mother and daughter say seeing this cross burning in such a public place shoul...