Construction on the Obama Presidential Center halted work last week when a noose was found on site.
The center is being built in Chicago to commemorate the 44th President Barack Obama. “Over the last several days, all staff and onsite workers have participated in anti-bias training,” a spokesperson revealed.
The noose was found in the basement of the development and all workers were told to put a pause on construction almost immediately.
Lakeside Alliance, the developers of the center, also put out a statement, saying, “We will continue to provide assistance to the authorities regarding the ongoing investigation to identify the individual or individuals responsible for this horrific act.”
Chicago Police have not given an update on the investigation but Lakeside Alliance said it was adding security measures. “While Lakeside Alliance understands that no amount of training will lessen the impact of last week’s heinous act, we will continue to provide anti-bias, inclusion and belonging training on an ongoing basis to help foster an inclusive work environment.”
The Alliance is offering a reward of $100,000 to anyone who can assist in finding those responsible for what a spokesperson said was a “shameful act.”
Construction on the Obama Presidential Center has since resumed now. The center will include a museum and a library and act as a public gathering space. The center’s construction is headed by the nonprofit The Obama Foundation.
Obama discussed criticism of the project on Good Morning America a few years ago. “The truth is, any time you do a big project unless you’re in the middle of a field somewhere, you know, and it’s on private property, there’s always going to be some people who say, ‘Well, but we don’t want change,” Obama said. “We’re worried about it. We don’t know how it’s going to turn out. “If they want to bring about change in their neighborhoods, they’ve got resources and people who can teach them how to do that effectively. And they’re going to be able to see themselves as part of that change in a way that, so often, they don’t feel right now.”
Last year, the Supreme Court rejected a plea that would block the construction of the center.
