US authorities are investigating reviews of black individuals throughout the nation receiving textual content messages invoking slavery following Donald Trump’s victory within the presidential election.
Racist textual content messages have been reported by individuals in additional than a dozen US states, together with California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Michigan, North Carolina, Virginia and Alabama.
The wording of the messages varies, however follows the identical fundamental script: telling the recipient that they’ve been “chosen to choose cotton on the nearest plantation,” in response to native information reviews and social media posts.
A few of the texts have been labeled as coming from a “Trump supporter” or included the hashtag #MAGA.
Frances Carmona, a Native American lady from Grand Rapids, Michigan, instructed native media that her 15-year-old niece had acquired one of many messages, which stated she ought to be able to be “searched and frisked as soon as contained in the plantation.” . .
“Discomfort is an understatement,” Carmona stated in response to NBC affiliate WOOD-TV.
“I do not know what is going on on. I knew issues have been going to occur after the election, however not the following day. You recognize, it is a bit scary. “It is terrifying.”
The FBI stated Thursday that it was conscious of the messages and was involved with the Justice Division and different federal authorities.
“As at all times, we encourage the general public to report threats of bodily violence to native legislation enforcement authorities,” the company stated in a press release.
The Federal Communications Fee stated it was investigating the texts together with federal and state authorities.
Attorneys basic from a number of states additionally confirmed they have been investigating the matter.
“These messages are horrific, unacceptable and won’t be tolerated,” stated Maryland Lawyer Normal Anthony Brown.
“When you have been despatched certainly one of these textual content messages, I ask that you just come ahead and report it. I’m dedicated to defending the rights of all Marylanders. There isn’t any dwelling for hate in Maryland.”
The NAACP, one of many largest black civil rights organizations in the USA, condemned the messages.
“The risk – and the point out of slavery in 2024 – shouldn’t be solely deeply disturbing, but it surely perpetuates a legacy of evil that dates again to earlier than the period of Jim Crow, and that now seeks to forestall black People from having fun with the identical freedom to stay life. freedom and happiness,” stated NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson.
“These actions will not be regular. And we refuse to allow them to normalize.”
The Southern Poverty Legislation Middle (SPLC), one other civil rights group, additionally expressed condemnation, describing the messages as a “public spectacle of hate and racism that mocks our civil rights historical past.”
“Leaders in any respect ranges should condemn anti-Black racism, in any kind, each time we see it, and we should observe our phrases with actions that promote racial justice and construct an inclusive democracy the place each individual feels secure and welcome of their group.” Margaret Huang, president and CEO of SPLC, stated in a press release.
A couple of fifth of hate crimes reported in main U.S. cities in 2022 have been directed in opposition to Black individuals, in response to police information analyzed by the Middle for the Examine of Hate and Extremism at California State College, San Bernardino.
