Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are operating normally after a series of threats that appeared to be part of a larger hoax against such institutions nationwide. In Atlanta, Morehouse and Morris Brown Colleges were among those to receive threatening emails. According to FOX 5 Atlanta, Morehouse College was alerted to a threat around 1 a.m. yesterday, described as "rooted in white supremacy." Morris Brown College also received a similar threat, leading it to temporarily shift to virtual learning.
The scare began when these institutions started to receive violent threats via email in the early morning hours. Morris Brown issued an emergency alert on social media yesterday morning, cautioning students and staff to not come to campus and to stay informed through their emails and text messages. The school confirmed to CBS News Atlanta that they were investigating an email containing racial slurs and threats.
The situation prompted a quick response and collaboration between affected colleges, the Atlanta Police Department, the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security. After thorough investigations, authorities declared the threats to be hoaxes. Morris Brown College publicly announced around noon that they were "cleared to resume normal campus operations," as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta.
These incidents were not isolated, with similar threats cropping up at HBCUs including Savannah State University and Alcorn State University in Mississippi. Following the all-clear, security measures have increased on campuses and officials are urging continued vigilance. Morris Brown College President Kevin James, in a statement obtained by CBS News Atlanta, said the threats were part of a series targeting HBCUs and affirmed the college's quick measures to ensure safety by transitioning to virtual operations until law enforcement gave the clearance to resume campus activities.
While the investigations into these threats remain ongoing, there have been assurances from the FBI that, thus far, they have found no information to suggest any of the threats were credible.
