Mexican man arrested for punching police horse at Lollapalooza

The gray skies grew darker Sunday in Chicago when a man allegedly punched a horse as the Lollapalooza music festival drew to a close. 

Pablo Fernandez, a 21-year-old Mexican national, is accused of approaching a Chicago police horse at around 9 p.m as the three-day festival was winding down, and when he was told by the mounted officer that he could not pet the working animal, Fernandez became angered and allegedly punched the equine.

The assault caused the horse to rear back in a panic while in the middle of the concert-goers, police spokeswoman Gabrielle Lesniak told the Chicago Tribune. Fernandez was charged with misdemeanor reckless conduct. 

Police News Affairs Officer Kevin Kilmer told the Chicago Sun-Times that he couldn't confirm that the  violence was Lolla-related, but it did take place as the festival was wrapping up and police were trying to get crowds to disperse from Grant Park. Approximately 75,000 people a day attended the festival, which was headlined by acts like Jane's Addiction, Depeche Mode and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Kilmer had no word on the status of the horse.

-- Tony Pierce

A general view during the 2009 Lollapalooza music festival at Grant Park in Chicago.  Credit: Jeff Gentner / Getty Images

Comments

[Luisa]

I can't wait for "Jew arrested," "Black Man arrested," "Irishman arrested," etc.

"Mexican" must be the new "pit bull."

Did you write the headline yourself, Tony, or did an editor help? Oddly, both links in your post have headlines that begin, "Man [arrested]." Less pressure in Chicago to increase comments by playing the ethnic card, I guess.

[John]

Hey Luisa, I'm not sure I understand your point. "Mexican" is not a race; it's a nationality. Using "Irishman" would be totally acceptable as well, as Ireland is a country. "Jew" would be unacceptable as there is no country that is named Jewland; it's Israel and therefore if someone from Israel had punched a police horse the headline would say "Israeli Man..."

Are you saying that it's irrelevant that he was a Mexican national? That the headline should've just read "Man Arrested....?" I could see how the "Mexican" is unnecessary in the headline, but are you saying his nationality should've been omitted in entirety from the article?

I'm sorry, I'm just confused about what your issue is.

[betty brown]

well written response, john! i read things such as "australian man" or "british", etc. when reading articles about crimes in newspapers & online. it is VERY common to have it pointed out that the criminal is from a different country. something tells me a lot of people don't notice these things unless it riles up some sort of sensitive issue within them.