Construction at Barack Obama’s Presidential Center has been halted after workers found a noose at the site.
On Thursday, Lakeside Alliance, the construction firm overseeing the project, revealed that “an act of hate was discovered at the project site.”
The group found a noose on the site and decided to temporarily halt construction until the person responsible is found.
The Obama Foundation released a statement about the incident, calling it “act of cowardice and hate..designed to get attention and divide us.”
“This shameless act of cowardice and hate is designed to get attention and divide us. Our priority is protecting the health and safety of our workforce. We have notified authorities who are investigating the incident,” the statement reads.
Lakeside Alliance also says they have zero tolerance for any hate crimes on their worksites.
“We reported the incident to the police and will provide any assistance required to identify those responsible. We have zero tolerance for bias or hate on our worksite. Anti-bias training is included in our onboarding process and reiterated during sitewide meetings. We are suspending all operations on-site to provide another series of these trainings and conversations for all staff and workers,” the group says.
The presidential center is expected to open within the next three years. The center will include a library, activity center, plaza, forum, and museum. It will also serve as the foundation’s headquarters.
Lakeside Alliance is offering a $100,000 reward to those who help find the person responsible for the “shameful act.”
