The FBI is aware of the "offensive and racist" text messages several Black people across multiple states reported receiving. The texts, sent out on Wednesday, Nov. 6, the day after Election Day, instructed them to be prepared to go to a plantation and pick cotton.
Sam Burwell, a Black man and photographer for the local Virginia news outlet 13News Now, said he received a message that greeted him by name and told him he had been "selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation." The text told him to be ready by 12 p.m., with his things and he would be picked up in a brown van. The message also said that he would be searched once he arrived, and informed Burwell he was in plantation group W.
Burwell told the news outlet he knows others who received the same message, including a cousin who lives in Richmond, Va.
The FBI released a statement on the robotexts via its website, stating that it "is aware of the offensive and racist text messages sent to individuals around the country and is in contact with the Justice Department and other federal authorities on the matter."
"As always, we encourage members of the public to report threats of physical violence to local law enforcement authorities," the federal agency added.
Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares's office also condemned the text message, telling 13News Now in a statement, "The Attorney General's Office is aware of these text messages and unequivocally condemns them. Anyone who believes themselves to be under threat should not hesitate to contact local law enforcement and their local FBI field office by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (or 1-800-225-5324) or visitingFBI.gov/tips."
Similar messages were reportedly sent to residents and college students in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, North Carolina and South Carolina. Though the wording varied, the theme was the same.
Students at Clemson University also reported receiving the texts. University police said it is "actively investigating" the matter, WCNC reports.
The university added in part, "Based on the information available, there is currently no indication of a credible threat to members of the Clemson community. CUPD takes all reports of concerning communication seriously and is committed to the safety of the University community."
Black students at the University of Alabama and Samford University posted on social media about receiving similar messages. Samford University President Beck Taylor told AL that the college is aware of the “despicable and disgusting behavior, including the uses of racial slurs, abusive language and other hateful content to demean beloved members of our community.”
Those who receive the message are urged to report it to authorities immediately. The North Carolina Attorney General's Office told WCNC it is "working with federal and industry partners to investigate the source." The South Carolina Attorney General's Office told WCNC it had not received reports of the texts, and if it did, the reports would be referred to the Department of Justice since the state doesn't have a hate crime law.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
It's unclear who is sending the text messages, however, many of them appear to be going to Black college students.
PEOPLE reached out to the Virginia Attorney General's Office and the South Carolina Attorney General's Office for comment.
Related Articles
Follow Us
