Authorities are now investigating a possible hate crime in the state of Illinois. Over the Martin Luther King Jr. Day weekend, two nooses were found outside of the York Community High School.
The Elmhurst Police Department has reported that the nooses were found hanging from metal bleachers near a field in the vicinity of the local high school. A group of adults discovered the nooses after playing a game of soccer near the school. Beneath the nooses, two messages were written. One message read, "Let them play!" Another message read, "Hear us now! Please!"
“The adults removed the ropes themselves and took them away with the intent to give them to school administrators later,” the Elmhurst Police Department stated.
“School Administrators were contacted on Monday and informed Elmhurst Police Investigators.”
In the aftermath of the incident, police presence will increase in the areas around the school. The school has also agreed to add security cameras to the campus.
“The City of Elmhurst has no tolerance for symbols of hatred, oppression and violence,” the police department said.
“One of our City’s core services is to provide safety for the Elmhurst residents and the community.”
At this time, neither the York Community High School principal nor the area superintendent has issued a statement regarding the matter. The police will continue to investigate the incident as a potential hate crime.
"The City of Elmhurst has no tolerance for symbols of hatred, oppression and violence. One of our City’s core services is to provide safety for the Elmhurst residents and the community," the police department added.
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