Racially-Charged Display Sparks Anger

Chicago - UPDATE: 'Yard Art' Creator May Be in Violation of Fair Housing Laws >>

Racism has reared its ugly head in the South Side Beverly neighborhood, and the man responsible is not apologizing or backing down.

It seems Michael Corrigan wants to make sure that some people don’t buy the empty house next door to him in the 9900 block of South Fairfield.

A look at the message on his garage lets prospective buyers know where he stands.

"Say no to the ghetto. White Power. Mt. Greenwood, the next Englewood” is what it reads, and right next to the racially charged black block letters hangs a white noose.

I confronted Corrigan about it. He calls it “yard art.”

According to Chicago Police, who were called to the scene Tuesday afternoon after a complaint, Corrigan said he has black friends, but has had problems with black people in the past, claiming he had been robbed a couple of times.

“Are you trying to discourage blacks from buying that home next door to you?” I asked Corrigan. “It's just yard art,” he said.

Chicago police say there will be no charges, because the message is on Corrigan’s own property, and the words themselves, while offensive, are not a crime. An evidence technician did take photos of the message and the noose for the police report.

Neighbors called Corrigan crazy, and his racist message horrible. But others shrugged if off, and say it’s been there since last summer.

The older couple who owned the home passed away a couple of years ago and the realtor who’s trying to sell it for the family says she had complained to police, but she did not say when.

I asked Corrigan if he was a racist, but he ignored me and just asked me to get off his property.