US authorities are actively investigating a disturbing wave of bigoted text messages that have alarmed Black Americans across the country this week. The offensive messages, sent anonymously, urged recipients in multiple states—including Alabama, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia—to report to a plantation to \"pick cotton,\" invoking painful memories of the nation's history of enslavement.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC)'s enforcement bureau has joined the probe, along with state and federal law enforcement agencies. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill, who received one of the harassing texts, shared a screenshot of the message, which contained ethnic slurs and threats of force, deepening the concern among communities targeted by these hateful communications.
Despite the ongoing investigations, it remains unclear who is behind the transmissions, the total number of recipients, or the methods used to target individuals. The FBI has also stepped in to assist with uncovering the perpetrators, emphasizing the severity of these hate-driven actions.
The incidents have sparked conversations about the rising tide of online hate and the challenges faced by authorities in tracking and mitigating such threats. As investigations continue, communities affected by these messages are seeking reassurance and support from leaders and law enforcement agencies to address and prevent further acts of bigotry.
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Authorities probing bigoted messages that spread alarm across U.S.
cgtn.com
