Topline
Bomb threats were reported by at least a dozen historically Black colleges and universities Tuesday—the first day of Black History Month—marking the second day in a row HBCUs were forced to lock down campuses across the U.S. out of caution.
Key Facts
Bomb threats were reported Tuesday and cleared after campus sweeps at Howard University in Washington, D.C.—which canceled classes Monday over another such threat—along with Jackson State University and Tougaloo College in Mississippi, Kentucky State University, Spelman College in Georgia and Coppin State University in Maryland.
Investigations into bomb threats are still ongoing at Morgan State University in Maryland, Fort Valley State in Georgia, Xavier University of Louisiana, Edward Waters University in Florida and Mississippi Valley State University and Alcorn State in Mississippi.
No explosions have been reported at any of the schools, and investigators haven’t announced they’ve found explosive devices on any of the campuses.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is aware of the bomb threats, it told Forbes in a statement, but said the threats are “a fluid situation with ongoing investigations” and would not comment on specifics.
Big Number
40%. That’s how much reported incidents of hate crimes committed against Black Americans increased between 2019 and 2020, the most recent year with data available, according to the FBI. With 2,755 hate crimes reported against Black Americans in 2020, they are the most targeted group in the U.S.
Key Background
Tuesday marked the second day in a row in which HBCUs across the U.S. were targeted with bomb threats. At least six schools canceled classes Monday, though no explosive devices materialized. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki called the reports “disturbing” during a Monday conference, and said President Joe Biden is “aware” of the threats. Howard and other HBCUS also received bomb threats on January 4.
Further Reading
Bomb Threats Target Series Of Historically Black Colleges—Again (Forbes)
