U of I student from Normal arrested for noose in residence hall

The University of Illinois Police Department arrested Andrew Smith, 19, of Normal, for allegedly hanging a noose in an elevator of at Allen Hall. (Photo courtesy: Black Students for revolution)

 

By Blake Haas

CHAMPAIGN – A University of Illinois student from Normal has been arrested after a noose was found hanging in a residence hall elevator.

University of Illinois police arrested Andrew Smith, 19, at his residence hall on Monday. Smith faces charges for disorderly conduct and a hate crime, which is a felony.

Police were called Sunday to Allen Hall after residence staff found a rope tied into a noose hanging inside an elevator.

Smith has been released from jail after posting a $500 cash bond.  He’s to appear for a pretrial conference in Champaign County court Oct. 22.

Gov. JB Pritzker sent out several tweets Tuesday in regards to the incident.

The investigation remains ongoing.  Anyone with information is asked to contact the U of I police at 217-333-1216.

Blake Haas can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…