Several Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the country have lifted lockdowns after a series of threats.
Early Thursday morning, Hampton University and Virginia State University said they received terrorist threats. Later, the list grew as Alabama State University, Clark Atlanta University, Southern University in Louisiana, and Bethune-Cookman in Florida reported threats. Spelman College ordered a shelter in place because of its proximity to Clark, but by the end of the day it was lifted.
Several Black leaders have since denounced the threats made to Black colleges on Thursday.
In a statement, the Congressional Black Caucus said these threats were designed to intimidate and “foment” hate, especially on Black college campuses.
“The threats made against several Historically Black Colleges and Universities are not only vile,” said Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke. “They are a chilling reminder of the relentless racism and extremism that continues to target and terrorize Black communities in this country.”
Other Black political leaders released statements regarding the threats.
“The violent threats made today against several Historically Black Colleges and Universities throughout the nation are despicable and yet another indication that the explosion of hateful extremism is out of control,” said Hakeem Jefferies, House Democratic (N.Y.), in a statement.
He urged the Department of Justice and the FBI to investigate the threats thoroughly and not turn a blind eye to Black colleges “apparently being viciously targeted.”
The FBI issued a statement calling the threats a “hoax” and said they had no information of a credible threat. But they said they would continue to work with local, state, and federal law enforcement partners.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas said HBCUs have been safe havens since they were created.
“It is not ok for anyone to be targeted for violence,” she said. “My heart aches for the constant trauma that students consistently experience simply because some lack the courage to do better!”
What went down
Hampton was among the first universities to report the threat.
“It is imperative that all members of the Hampton University community remain vigilant,” the university said in a statement posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Virginia State University posted on its X account that the campus remains on lockdown. Local, state and federal law enforcement agencies are actively investigating the threats the university received early on Thursday, they said in a separate post.
Hampton and Virginia State are about a 90-minute drive from each other.
“Campus Police along with other law enforcement agencies, are actively clearing all buildings on campus,” Virginia State said Thursday afternoon in the statement. People on campus were permitted to leave through the entrance of buildings. Students were advised to shelter in place in their on-campus housing until further notice.
Southern University has multiple campuses. Officials advised students and faculty on the Baton Rouge campus to shelter in place Thursday afternoon, according to the university’s X account.
Alabama State, one of the first universities to receive a threat according to the times of the press release, issued an all-clear Thursday afternoon from law enforcement. Day-to-day nonessential activities remain suspended and a shelter in place continues until further notice.
HBCUs have seen threats before
In 2022, Black colleges received nearly 50 bomb threats. Several of these threats were made during Black History Month.
Previously, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency conducted 20 training sessions to help universities respond to bomb threats, reaching over 1,100 HBCU faculty, the Department of Homeland Security said in a now archived statement from 2022.
Under the Biden-Harris Administration, HBCUs were encouraged to apply for grants from the Project School Emergency Response to Violence to enhance campus security and mental resources. In 2024, the administration announced over $2.4 million through SERV funds.
The series of threats did not stop in 2022 and continued into 2023.