Overview
- More than 100 Plainfield residents and Alfayoumi’s family gathered at Van Horn Woods East Playground on June 28 to unveil the memorial
- The statue completes a red heart that finishes the half-heart silhouette Wadee made in a widely shared birthday photo
- Will County Sheriff Dan Jungles read a statement declaring that “hate has no home” as CAIR-Chicago and local faith leaders called for unity against Islamophobia
- The dedication follows the February conviction of landlord Joseph Czuba on first-degree murder, attempted murder and hate crime charges and his May sentencing to 53 years in prison
- Organizers said the monument is part of broader efforts to preserve Wadee’s legacy and confront anti-Muslim and anti-Palestinian violence