WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Reverend Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., 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 Wicker and Reverend Warnock 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,” the Senators wrote. “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.” 

“The threats have caused significant disruption and distress for students, faculty, and staff,” the Senators added. “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.

Mississippi colleges and universities facing recent security threats include Mississippi Valley State University, Alcorn State University, Jackson State University, Tougaloo College, and Rust College. In Georgia, Spelman College, Fort Valley State University, Morehouse College, Albany State University are among the threatened institutions.

Read the letter here or below:

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 State Valley 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.