'Terrorist threats' draw lock up in Alabama, Hampton, other HBCUs; Classes canceled

A set of ‘terrorists’ threats sent shockwaves through various historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the US on Thursday, which forced several institutions, including Alabama State University, among others in Lockdown. Alabama State University, Hampton University, Virginia State University, Southern University and A&M College, and Bethune-Cookman University-all locked up on Thursday, September 12, and each quoted the possible threats against the campuses, the US reported today. Campus activities, classes were canceled, although the closure to Southern University was later lifted, all campus activities and classes were canceled during the weekend, school officials announced on social media. Meanwhile, Gameman College in Atlanta has asked students and staff to avoid the campus after a threat to target nearby Clark Atlanta University. While the order on the spot was finally lifted, both schools increased the security while the investigations continued, mentioned a USA Today report. What the threats were that Alabama State University said it received “terrorist threats”, after which he decided to exclude campus operations from a plethora of caution, reports USA Today. Meanwhile, Hampton University canceled classes for Thursday and Friday, September 12, with reference to possible threats. “The University of Hampton has received notice of a potential threat and has stopped all non-essential activities, which are immediately in effect,” the university said in a statement. What are HBCUs? Historically, black colleges and universities (HBCUs) colleges and universities in the United States founded before 1964 are mainly aimed at the education of African Americans. Title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965 officially named an HBCU as a school for higher learning that was accredited and established before 1964. There are a total of 107 recognized HBCUs in the US according to the Department of Labor. Threats in HBCUS The latest warnings come against the background of repeated threats targeting HBCUs over the past year. In 2022, several campuses received anonymous bomb threats that forced evacuations and orders on the spot at the majority-black institutions. No explosives were ever found, and the FBI later identified a youth as behind most of the “racial motivated” threats.