Drew Angerer
At the least half a dozen traditionally Black schools have been hit by a brand new wave of bomb threats on Monday morning, forcing lockdowns and the cancellation of courses throughout the nation.
The focused faculties included Albany State College in Georgia, Florida’s Bethune-Cookman College, Bowie State College in Maryland, Delaware State College, Southern College and A&M in Louisiana, and Howard College in Washington, D.C.
“Attributable to a bomb menace on campus, BSU might be closed briefly at present January 31, 2022,” Bowie State College posted on its Twitter web page. “Emergency personnel are evaluating the scenario. All individuals on campus are suggested to shelter in place till additional info is on the market. Staff will work just about. Courses might be digital. Please observe the BSU web site for continuous updates.”
In keeping with Fox 5, Bowie College officers mentioned that the menace warned of explosives that had been positioned in a constructing on campus. Together with college authorities, county and Maryland state police have launched an investigation into the menace.
Workers at Albany State College launched an announcement early Monday saying that the varsity had additionally acquired a bomb menace and police have been investigating.
“At the moment, all campuses, courses, and college operations are canceled till additional discover,” the assertion learn. “Staff and commuter college students shouldn't report back to campus at the moment. …Relaxation assured that we're working with the right authorities to completely examine this menace.”
Bethune-Cookman’s lockdown was lifted by 9 a.m., however the faculty canceled courses for the rest of the day Monday. Daytona Seashore police mentioned any indicators of a bomb menace had been cleared, however they have been nonetheless asking folks to steer clear of campus.
“We may have a heavy police presence on campus for the rest of the day,” police mentioned on Twitter. “We may also be limiting any motion on the Bethune-Cookman campus. Officers might be staged at entry/exit factors on the campus.”
That is the second time in lower than a month that traditionally Black schools or universities (HBCUs) have been the main focus of bomb threats. At the least eight faculties—together with Howard College—acquired threats on Jan. 5, which additionally prompted lockdowns and evacuations, in line with The Washington Publish. By the following day, all threats had been cleared, however the Black cultural middle on the College of Utah acquired a bomb menace the next week, the Salt Lake Tribune reported.
“To these heading dwelling from work and college, journey secure Bison!” Howard College police posted to Twitter Monday. “#staysafe #bisonsafe #howardforward #howarduniversity #hbcu.”
“One other rash of Bomb Threats to our beloved HBCU,” Howard alumna Alta Cannaday wrote on Fb. “Training is energy! We will not be moved!”
White Home Press Secretary Jen Psaki referred to as the threats “disturbing” throughout a press briefing Monday.
“The White Home is in contact with inter-agency companions, together with federal legislation enforcement management on this,” she mentioned. “We’re relieved to listen to that Howard and Bethune-Cookman Universities have been given the all-clear, and we’ll proceed to watch these reviews [of bomb threats]. ...The president is conscious. ...Legislation enforcement could be working level.”
As of early Monday afternoon, no accidents had been reported at any of the universities or universities.