Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) teamed up to push the FBI and DOJ to immediately prioritize their investigation of ongoing threats to the nation’s HBCUs

Georgia and Mississippi HBCUs among over a dozen threatened on first day of Black History Month

Over 20 HBCUs nationwide have reported threats against their institutions in 2022 

Lawmakers: “As voices for Georgia and Mississippi in the U.S. Senate—and one of us being an HBCU graduate—this investigation is our utmost priority, as well. We ask that you and your staff provide continuous updates on this deeply concerning and critical issue as the investigation continues. We also ask that you and your staff, to the extent practicable, update HBCUs on the investigation and any future threats”

Earlier this week: “Following over a dozen threats to HBCU campuses, HBCU alumnus Sen. Raphael Warnock speaks out” – READ more on 11 Alive

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Roger Wicker (R-MS) are working together to combat ongoing threats to the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Following the latest threats to HBCUs on the first day of Black History Month, Senators Reverend Warnock and Wicker sent a new letter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Justice (DOJ) pressing the law enforcement agencies to prioritize their investigations into these threats and update HBCUs on their findings.

In their letter, the Senators also highlighted how these threats coincide with the beginning of Black History Month and cause significant distress and terror for students, staff, and surrounding communities.

“Over the last month, we have witnessed an alarming pattern of bomb threats issued against HBCUs,” wrote the Senators in a letter to the FBI and DOJ. “On January 5, 2022, at least eight HBCUs across the country received bomb threats, including Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. Within a month of the first round of threats, on January 31, at least six other HBCUs received bomb threats. One day later, at the start of Black History Month, reports suggested that over a dozen HBCUs had received threats. In Mississippi, five HBCUs reported these threats, including Mississippi Valley State University, Alcorn State University, Jackson State University, Tougaloo College, and Rust College. In Georgia, three HBCUs have been targeted: Fort Valley State University, Spelman College, and Albany State University.” 

They continued, “While no bombs have been found at these institutions thus far, the threats have caused significant disruption and distress for students, faculty, and staff. That some of these threats have coincided with the start of Black History Month only adds to the terror at these universities and surrounding campuses.”

More than two dozen HBCUs across the country have received violent threats this year alone. On the first day of Black History Month, at least 14 HBCUs reported threats. Both Senators have been attentive to the ongoing situations and are working with federal agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice while ensuring HBCU’s future safety on campus and beyond.

In Georgia, Spelman College, Fort Valley State University, Morehouse College, Albany State University are among the threatened institutions while in Mississippi, Mississippi Valley State University, Alcorn State University, Jackson State University, Tougaloo College, and Rust College have also received threats.

Senator Warnock commented on the threats earlier this week saying in part, “It is painful to see, particularly on the first day of Black History Month, our Historically Black College and University students being terrorized by threats of violence. I will not stop until these hateful threats are fully investigated and Georgians at our HBCUs feel safe.”

READ the full letter HERE or below:

February 3, 2022

Dear Attorney General Garland and Director Wray,

We write to ask for continued updates and prioritization of the investigation into the ongoing bomb threats made against Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) from the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Over the last month, we have witnessed an alarming pattern of bomb threats issued against HBCUs. On January 5, 2022, at least eight HBCUs across the country received bomb threats, including Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia. Within a month of the first round of threats, on January 31, at least six other HBCUs received bomb threats. One day later, at the start of Black History Month, reports suggested that over a dozen HBCUs had received threats. In Mississippi, five HBCUs reported these threats, including Mississippi Valley State University, Alcorn State University, Jackson State University, Tougaloo College, and Rust College. In Georgia, three HBCUs have been targeted: Fort Valley State University, Spelman College, and Albany State University.

While no bombs have been found at these institutions thus far, the threats have caused significant disruption and distress for students, faculty, and staff. That some of these threats have coincided with the start of Black History Month only adds to the terror at these universities and surrounding campuses.

We were glad to see the FBI’s statement on February 2nd that the investigation is of the highest priority. As voices for Georgia and Mississippi in the U.S. Senate—and one of us being an HBCU graduate—this investigation is our utmost priority, as well. We ask that you and your staff provide continuous updates on this deeply concerning and critical issue as the investigation continues. We also ask that you and your staff, to the extent practicable, update HBCUs on the investigation and any future threats.

Thank you for your immediate consideration and ongoing efforts. We look forward to your prompt response.

Sincerely, 

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