ATLANTA — For the second day in a row, historically Black colleges and universities in Georgia are investigating bomb threats made to campuses.
Atlanta police confirmed they were called out to assist Spelman College with a threat Tuesday morning. The investigation is being handled by Spelman College officials.
Fort Valley State issued a lockdown and canceled classes for the day. The university issued and all-clear around 3 p.m.
Spelman said the campus was thoroughly searched and cleared around 11 a.m.
Investigators would not say how the threats were made.
President Mary Schmidt Campbell issued a statement Tuesday, saying, in part:
“These threats are despicable. They are designed to make us feel fearful and vulnerable. I write now to let you know what additional steps the College is taking to ensure the safety of the Spelman community and our neighbors in the Atlanta University Center Consortium.”
Campbell said said she spoke to U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, who said he would ask the FBI to investigate the threats. She has also asked Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens to request additional law enforcement support and Atlanta Police will conduct additional patrols around the AUCC complex.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Several HBCUs in Georgia and across the country have been the target of bomb threats over the past month.
“You have to take them seriously, but when so many other HBCUs get them, you hope they are just threats,” Said first-year Spellman student Cheyanne Harrif.
On Monday, Albany State University canceled all classes and university operations. Classes were scheduled to resume as normal on Tuesday.
TRENDING STORIES:
- ‘It’s disrespectful’: Ahmaud Arbery’s family begs judge to reject McMichael plea deal, judge agrees
- East Point police looking for victims of person who shot at random cars
- 300-year-old Georgia pecan tree deemed a safety hazard, will be removed this month
Albany State was one of six historically black colleges and universities that received bomb threats Monday. Southern University and A&M, Howard University, Bethune-Cookman University, Bowie State University and Delaware State University also investigated threats made to their campuses.
After thorough searches, no devices were found on the campuses Monday.
Officials told Channel 2′s Tom Regan that the FBI is joining the investigation into the bomb threats.
Gov. Brian Kemp made a statement Tuesday, saying, “Whether it’s an BHCU or not, no campus should be going through those type of things, and if we find the people who did this, we are going to bring them justice.”
Georgia U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath tweeted:
“As we celebrate the first day of Black History Month, there are again those with hate in their heart who seek to sow hatred and division. Students across the country are at these HBCUs to work hard and create opportunities for themselves. As a proud HBCU graduate, my thoughts are with all those dealing with these threats of violence. No student should ever have to live or learn in fear.”
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
IN OTHER NEWS
©2022 Cox Media Group
