Thursday, U.S. Senators Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and the Rev. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., are working together to combat ongoing threats to the nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Following the latest threats to HBCUs on the first day of Black History Month, the senators sent a new letter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Department of Justice 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.