Police investigating racist harassment of Palestine booth at Skokie’s Festival of Cultures

A man used hateful language to taunt and harass people representing Palestine at Skokie’s Festival of Cultures last weekend, according to a recording viewed by The Record and statements made by Skokie officials.

The man’s remarks, which a person recorded on a cellphone and posted on social media, included him saying Palestinians are “people who blow themselves up,” calling the people at the booth terrorists and describing materials at the booth as “trash.” 

“The Village of Skokie strongly condemns this abhorrent and unacceptable conduct, which stands in stark contrast to the spirit of welcoming, learning and cultural celebration demonstrated by community members throughout the weekend,” a May 21 statement from the village said. 

In the video, which The Record has verified, a man walks up to the Palestine booth at Skokie’s 34th Annual Festival of Cultures at Oakton Park on May 17 and, among other things, repeatedly referred to individuals at the booth as a “terrorist.” 

A woman intervened, attempting to stand between the man and the booth and repeatedly suggesting he leave, the video shows.

At one point, per the video, the man appears to contact the woman with his body and another person called for security.

Skokie police officers responded to the scene after receiving a 911 call and “de-escalated the situation,” according to the village.

Skokie police officers came to the booth and confronted the man who eventually walked away, the video shows. Police confirmed a report is on file and an investigation into the encounter is ongoing.

“The Village recognizes the upstanding actions of a bystander who intervened in an effort to peacefully resolve the confrontation,” the Village’s statement reads.

“As soon as the festival chair was made aware of the incident, she was immediately on the scene to support the members of the culture who were harassed,” said Jim Bottorff, the Skokie Park District’s director of communications, in an email to The Record. 

“This occurred shortly after the police responded and intervened. The gentleman left of his own accord before we could formally ask him to leave.”

Bortoff continued: “The district views the individual’s behavior on the video as completely unacceptable and especially troubling given the purpose and spirit of the Skokie Festival of Cultures, which is intended to celebrate and honor the diversity of our community.”

Skokie’s 34th Annual Festival of Cultures drew more than 12,000 people to Oakton Park May 16-17, and it was the second year that a booth representing Palestine has participated in the event, Bottorff said.

The festival, which is organized by the Skokie Park District, featured booths from 34 different cultures and performances from 51 unique acts. 

The man’s remarks at the Palestine booth come after years of heightened tensions in the North Shore and across the U.S. at large over the fallout of the October 2023 Hamas attack on Israel and the war in Gaza.

“The Village has been in close communication with leaders in Skokie’s Muslim community to share information regarding this incident,” the statement from the village said. 

“At the May 20 meeting of the Mayor’s Faith Council, clergy from numerous faiths throughout Skokie discussed this incident and condemned the behavior,” the village said.

Notably, Skokie Mayor Ann Tennes also recently acknowledged what she described as a “pattern” of youths using antisemitic language in local parks. Skokie police reports have documented four different antisemitic exchanges in the past seven months, including one designated a hate crime.

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