Hampton University and Southern University had been amongst a minimum of six historically Black colleges and universities that went into lockdown Thursday (September 11) after receiving threats deemed hoaxes by the FBI, reigniting issues over the security of Black educational establishments.

The affected colleges included Alabama State University, Virginia State University, Clark Atlanta University, and Bethune-Cookman University.

Spelman College additionally issued a shelter-in-place order on account of its location close to Clark Atlanta. The FBI confirmed it was investigating the threats however mentioned no credible hazard had been discovered.

“The FBI is aware of hoax threat calls to a number of historically Black colleges and universities,” the company mentioned in a press release. “The FBI takes these threats very seriously because it puts innocent people at risk.”

Despite the absence of confirmed hazard, colleges reacted swiftly.

Hampton University canceled all nonessential operations and sports activities occasions by Friday. Virginia State University introduced on Facebook that “out of an abundance of caution, VSU remains on lockdown.”

Southern University locked down its whole Baton Rouge campus, together with its regulation faculty, and suggested college students and workers to “shelter in place until further notice.”

The college later lifted the lockdown however canceled all actions for the rest of the weekend. Clark Atlanta University and Bethune-Cookman University additionally activated emergency protocols, citing security issues.

The Congressional Black Caucus issued a pointy rebuke of the threats, calling them “vile” and “a chilling reminder of the relentless racism and extremism that continues to target and terrorize Black communities in this country.”

The group demanded that the FBI and Department of Justice “act swiftly to fully investigate these threats and pursue the appropriate legal action against those responsible.”

Civil rights chief Rev. Al Sharpton additionally weighed in, referencing the latest capturing of conservative speaker Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University.

“We have seen too much violence on our campuses, whether it was the brazen murder of Charlie Kirk yesterday or the threats against these HBCUs today,” Sharpton mentioned. “Colleges and Universities should be a place of free expression and debate in a way that’s respectful, engaging, and productive. What we have seen the last two days is anything but that.”

This week’s threats mirror a disturbing sample from 2022, when 49 HBCUs obtained bomb threats, some repeatedly. The FBI later recognized a juvenile because the supply of most of these racially motivated hoaxes.

The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that these threats triggered federal hate crime investigations.

Officials haven’t linked Thursday’s threats to the Utah incident. As of Thursday night, all lockdowns had been lifted, however a number of campuses stay on alert.

Related