Teen Charged With AirDropping Swastika To Students In Oak Park

OAK PARK, IL--- A 14-year-old faces charges of dissemination of an obscene image for allegedly using an iPhone to AirDrop an illustration of a swastika to other students at Oak Park-River Forest High School Friday. Police say the teen is set to appear in Cook County Juvenile Court on Nov. 14.

The teen was named as a person of interest late Friday and interviewed by Oak Park police and the Cook County State's Attorney's Office to determine whether or not charges would be filed. Police did not say whether the suspect was connected with two other incidents of racist graffiti that were found on the school's campus Nov. 2 and Nov. 7.

Since the incidents began, the school and greater community have been on high alert. The image of the swastika was sent to students the same week school officials held a public meeting and student assemblies to address the hate speech.

At one meeting, students staged a sit-in and stepped up to address the incidents and demand action from administrators. On Sunday, Oak Park-River Forest students and community members marched side by side to protest the hate crimes.

Hundreds gathered with signs that read "Hate has no home here" and "Love always."

Anthony Clark, a teacher at Oak Park-River Forest High School and community activist who was targeted by one of the instances of racist graffiti addressed the crowd.

Clark called for ongoing activism and vigilance to create change. In a live video of the march shared on the Suburban Unity Alliance Facebook page, Clark said, "Don't dare think we have accomplished anything today, but symbolizing to our students that we hear them."

Image via GoogleMaps Streetview