On Thursday, September 11, at least six historically Black colleges and universities received a series of threats, causing the institutions to cancel classes and implement campus lockdowns.
The HBCUs that received threats include Hampton University in Virginia; Virginia State University; Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida; Alabama State University; Clark Atlanta University in Georgia; and Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Some HBCUs that did not receive direct threats implemented cautionary lockdowns.
In response, Makola M. Abdullah, president of Virginia State University, stated: “Let us be clear: These threats are not random. They are targeted attacks on institutions that have long stood as pillars of excellence, empowerment, and progress. HBCUs exist because we refused to be denied an education — and we thrive because we continue to rise in the face of adversity. To those who seek to silence or scare us: we will not be intimidated.”
Yvette D. Clarke, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, issued the following statement:
“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. 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. Black students and HBCU communities deserve to be protected. The Congressional Black Caucus stands in full solidarity with the students, faculty, and staff of HBCUs around our nation, and we remain committed to ensuring their safety and security. The U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI must act swiftly to fully investigate these threats and pursue the appropriate legal action against those responsible.”
