A string of ‘terrorist’ threats sent shockwaves through several Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the US on Thursday, forcing multiple institutions including the Alabama State University, among others into lockdown.
Alabama State University, Hampton University, Virginia State University, Southern University and A&M College, and Bethune-Cookman University — all locked down on Thursday, September 12, each of them citing potential threats against the campuses, reported USA Today.
Campus activities, classes cancelled
Although the lockdown at Southern University was later lifted, all campus activities and classes were cancelled through the weekend, school officials announced on social media.
Meanwhile, in Atlanta, Spelman College urged students and staff to avoid campus after a threat targeting nearby Clark Atlanta University. While the shelter-in-place order was eventually lifted, both schools boosted security as investigations continued, mentioned a report by USA Today.
What were the threats
Alabama State University stated that it received “terrorist threats,” following which it decided to shut down campus operations out of an abundance of caution, reported USA Today.
Meanwhile Hampton University cancelled classes for Thursday and Friday, September 12 citing potential threats.
“Hampton University has received notice of a potential threat and has ceased all non-essential activity, effective immediately,” the university said in a statement.
What are HBCUs?
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are colleges and universities in the United States that were established before 1964 primarily aimed at educating African Americans.
Title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965 officially designated an HBCU as a school of higher learning that was accredited and established before 1964.
There are a total of 107 recognised HBCUs in the US as per the Department of Labor.
Threats in HBCUs
The latest warnings come against the backdrop of repeated threats targeting HBCUs in recent years.
In 2022, several campuses received anonymous bomb threats that forced evacuations and shelter-in-place orders at the majority-Black institutions. No explosives were ever found, and the FBI later identified a juvenile as being behind most of the “racially motivated” threats.