Multiple HBCUs Lock Down Amid Potential Threats

Several historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the South implemented lockdowns or canceled classes on Thursday due to potential threats to campus safety. Institutions affected included Hampton University, Virginia State University, Bethune-Cookman University, and Alabama State University, all of which reported receiving threats and took precautionary measures.

Spelman College in Atlanta issued a shelter-in-place order after neighboring Clark Atlanta University received a threat; the order was lifted later in the day. Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge also went on lockdown but has since lifted it, canceling all campus activities and classes through the weekend.

The nature of the threats was not immediately disclosed. The FBI acknowledged awareness of "hoax threat calls" to HBCUs and stated that, while no information indicates the threats are credible, they are collaborating with law enforcement partners to address any threats that arise.

This incident follows a series of threats targeting HBCUs in 2022, when at least 57 colleges received bomb threats via various communication channels. A minor was charged under state offenses for making dozens of those threats.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries condemned the recent threats as "despicable" and urged the Department of Justice to investigate any potential acts of domestic terrorism, emphasizing the need to protect Black college students from being targeted.