Center for Policing Equity on Recent Bomb Threats Against HBCUs

February 03 2022

CPE condemns in the strongest terms the recent rash of bomb threats made against historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). On Monday, at least six HBCUs in five states and the District of Columbia reported bomb threats. Last month, a series of bomb threats were made to multiple historically Black universities. And on 2/1/22, the start of Black History Month, more than one dozen HBCUs received bomb threats.

To the students and faculty of those campuses, the bomb threats are horrifying, heartbreaking, and a painful reminder of the legacy of violence directed against HBCUs throughout the years. We are thankful that nobody has experienced physical violence resulting from these threats thus far. School campuses should be a place of refuge and learning and free from violence, threatened or otherwise. 

We stand proudly with HBCUs and send them our strength to persevere through these threats. HBCUs represent an important part of our nation’s history, being created during a time when Black people had little to no opportunities to pursue a higher education. They continue to be a place for young Black people from all walks of life to earn an education in a culturally rich, supportive environment. 

It’s impossible to ignore that the bulk of these bomb threats coincide with the start of Black History Month (BHM). Black History Month should be a time to celebrate the remarkable history of Black people. To instill fear via the threat of violence during this time is appalling. 

In the face of these threats, we are heartened to see HBCUs across the country reporting swift responses to these crises from their safety teams and local elected officials. This swift action  has not been the norm historically. To date, it has led to authorities identifying six people of interest. We hope the perpetrators of these threats are brought to justice. 

The Center for Policing Equity condemns violence of all kinds, including the threat of it, toward any community. The impact of these threats, especially during BHM, are significant to the students, faculty, their loved ones and the greater community. We stand with all those dedicated to keeping these campuses safe, and find inspiration from HBCUs in their resilient response to these threats. 

Below are the universities affected by the bomb threats:

Campuses reporting threats on Tuesday included: Kentucky State University in Frankfort; Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans; Edward Waters Universityin Jacksonville, Florida; Fort Valley State University in Georgia; Spelman College, in Atlanta; Coppin State University in Baltimore; Alcorn State University in Lorman, Mississippi; Mississippi Valley State University in Itta Bena, Mississippi; the University of the District of Columbia; Philander Smith Collegein Little Rock, Arkansas; Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock; Arkansas; Jackson State University in Mississippi, and Howard University, which also received a threat on Jan. 5.

  

The colleges that received threats Monday included Albany State University in Georgia; Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Bowie State University in Maryland; Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida; and Delaware State University in Dover.

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About Center for Policing Equity: As a research and action organization, Center for Policing Equity (CPE) produces analyses identifying and reducing the causes of racial disparities in law enforcement. Using evidence-based approaches to social justice, we use data to create levers for social, cultural and policy change. Center for Policing Equity also holds a 501(c)3 status.