Multiple HBCUs have received threats against their campuses since the morning of Thursday, September 11. It started with Virginia State University issuing an “urgent alert” at around 8:30 am ET. A school representative of Virginia State told local 8News that the campus closed down following the threats, including a bomb threat. The students were instructed to remain indoors and exercise caution.

Following the Virginia State alert, several other HBCUs also released similar warnings to their faculty, students, and staff. All of them went into immediate lockdown, with campus police trying to ascertain the validity and seriousness of the matter. “Three HBCUs — Alabama State University, Hampton University, and Virginia State University — have received campus threats,” Huffpost’s deputy editor Philip Lewis informed on X.

The list of HBCUs receiving threats is as follows:

• Hampton University—Hampton, Virginia
• Virginia State University—Petersburg, Virginia
• Alabama State University-Montgomery, Alabama
• South University and A&M College – Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Bethune-Cookman University – Daytona Beach, Florida
• Clark Atlanta University – Atlanta, Georgia

“VSU Police, in coordination with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, is actively investigating the credibility of the threat received earlier today,” read the social media post by Virginia State.

The threats have also impacted some football games that were scheduled during the week. Clark Atlanta University has cancelled its upcoming game against Fy. Valley St. The university has gone into a lockdown. Southern Louisiana and A&M were also put on lockdown, but the lockdown was lifted around Thursday afternoon.

“The safety of the Southern University campus community remains our highest priority,” the university official stated. Furthermore, the university stated that students and staff residing off-campus should evacuate immediately. Further updates will be communicated directly via the campus email ID.  Hampton University stated in an official statement, “All campus activities and classes are cancelled on Thursday, September 11, and Friday, September 12, to include all athletic events and activities. The campus community is encouraged to conduct any meetings remotely.”

Following the threats, Congressman Troy Carter, who represents Louisiana, has issued a strong statement. “As the Congressman representing Louisiana — home to some of the finest HBCUs in the nation, including Xavier University, Dillard University, Southern University, and Grambling State University,” he said, per Louisiana First News. He continued. “And a Member of the House Homeland Security Committee, I will not stand idly by while these hateful cowards attempt to spread fear and division.”

Alabama State told USA Today that they are working closely in coordination with law enforcement agencies to assess the situation and safety of its students, staff, and the whole community. This is not a lone incident. In 2022, as well, around 57 colleges across the country received anonymous bomb threats via email, phone calls, and messages. If further suspicious activities are reported, citizens are requested to call 911 urgently.