The Congressional Black Caucus demanded that the Department of Justice and FBI “swiftly” investigate a series of threats that were made to historically Black colleges and universities across the country on Thursday.
“The threats made against several Historically Black Colleges and Universities are not only vile — they are a chilling reminder of the relentless racism and extremism that continues to target and terrorize Black communities in this country,” Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), chair of the caucus, said in a statement.
At least six HBCUs — including Alabama State University, Hampton University and Virginia State University — canceled classes, locked down campuses and told students and staff to shelter in place after receiving threats on Thursday.
“The safety and well-being of our students, faculty, staff and visitors remain our highest priority,” Hampton University said in a statement announcing the cancellation of classes both Thursday and Friday.
Other universities that did not receive threats — such as Howard University in Washington — locked down campuses out of an abundance of caution.
The threats came amid a spate of high-profile violence in America, coming one day after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at an event at Utah Valley University, and two students were injured — and the suspected gunman dead — at a high school in Colorado.
The FBI labeled the threats toward the HBCUs as “hoaxes” but said it takes “these threats very seriously because it puts innocent people at risk.”
“While we have no information to indicate a credible threat, we will continue to work with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to gather, share, and act upon threat information as it comes to our attention,” an FBI spokesperson said in a statement. “We urge the public to remain vigilant, and report any and all suspicious activity and/or individuals to law enforcement immediately.”
Black lawmakers also individually condemned the threats, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries calling the threats “despicable.”
The CBC said it stands in full support with students, faculty and staff at HBCUs around the country as it called on the DOJ and FBI to “pursue the appropriate legal action against those responsible.”
“These terroristic threats, designed to intimidate and foment hatred against everyday Americans — in this case, Black institutions of higher learning — cannot go unchallenged and must not be swept aside,” Clarke said. “Black students and HBCU communities deserve to be protected.”
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