On the first day of Black History Month, more than a dozen historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across America have received bomb threats, five of which are in Mississippi.
Threats have been reported at Albany State University in Georgia; Alcorn State University in Mississippi; Bethune-Cookman University in Florida; Bowie State University in Maryland; Coppin State University in Maryland; Edward Waters University in Florida; Fort Valley State University in Georgia; Howard University in Washington, D.C.; Jackson State University in Mississippi; Kentucky State University; Mississippi Valley State; Morgan State University in Maryland; Rust College in Mississippi; Southern University and A&M College in Louisiana; Spelman College in Atlanta; Tougaloo College in Mississippi; University of District Columbia; and Xavier University in New Orleans.
Officials at Alcorn State, Jackson State, Mississippi Valley State, and Tougaloo College reported the threats on Tuesday morning. Molly Minta of Mississippi Today recently confirmed on Twitter that Rust College also received a threat.
Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-MS), chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, said in a statement that he has already engaged with both the FBI and DHS about the threats.
“The spate of bomb threats against Historically Black Colleges and Universities in recent days is incredibly disturbing and disheartening,” Thompson said. “These bomb threats against HBCUs deserve a full investigation, particularly given the dynamic terrorism threat landscape. I have engaged with the FBI and DHS about these threats to HBCUs and am committed to working with HBCU leaders to get them the answers they deserve.”
Further updates from the Mississippi schools threatened can be found below:
Alcorn State
Alcorn State University received an anonymous bomb threat this morning. We are advising all students to shelter in place. Faculty and Staff should not report to work until further notice. Please stay tuned to the Alcorn website, email, and social media accounts for updates.
— Alcorn State (@AlcornStateU) February 1, 2022
Jackson State
(1 of 3) JSU Alert: Jackson State University received a bomb threat this morning at 4:15 a.m. The Jackson Police Department and JSU Department of Public Safety have swept the campus and found the threat unsubstantiated. An all-clear has been issued.
— Jackson State U. (@JacksonStateU) February 1, 2022
Mississippi Valley State
Due to a bomb threat received this morning, Valley will be on lockdown today with only essential workers being allowed on campus (Alcorn and JSU also received threats)#MVSU #HBCU #HBCUsMatter #ValleyInMotion #HailToThee #ValleyOfScholars #HBCUnity #BlackHistoryMonth pic.twitter.com/8Q8AItxURd
— MVSU Fanatics (@MVSUFanatics) February 1, 2022
Tougaloo College
Hinds Community College has also shut down its four campuses within Hinds County. No update from Rust College has been released to the public yet.
