One of the texts sent to people. (Credit: LevittownNow.com)
The messages were sent anonymously over the past days and are similar to messages that have been received by Black individuals in several states
Several Black Bucks County residents have received racist text messages in the wake of the 2024 election.
This news organization has confirmed that local recipients, included a Black Bristol Township father and his daughter who is away at college received the texts. There were unconfirmed reports of numerous other Black residents who have received the text in the area.
The messages were sent anonymously over the past days and are similar to messages that have been received by Black individuals in several states, including New York, Alabama, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee, according to reports.
The Associated Press said that the recipients included Black men, women, and students—some as young as middle schoolers.
Social media posts and text messages reviewed by this news organization indicate that while the wording of the messages varied, they shared a similarly hostile tone.
Some messages directed recipients to appear at specific addresses with their belongings, while others did not include a location. Some texts referenced the incoming presidential administration, according to reports.
“People need to know this is happening in 2024 in the United States of America,” said the Bristol Township father who, along with his daughter, received one of the messages.
“This is to cause fear, and it makes me sad that Black people in this country are dealing with this in 2024. That they are messaging this to young Black people isn’t funny,” he added.
In response to the reports, the FBI released a statement confirming it is in communication with the U.S. Department of Justice regarding the messages. The Federal Communications Commission also said it is investigating the texts.
Additionally, the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office has launched an inquiry into the matter.
“Our office strongly condemns this type of malicious conduct, which serves no purpose but to spread hate and promote divisiveness,” according to a social media post from the state’s attorney general’s office.
As of now, authorities have not identified the origin of the messages.
NPR reported that the Southern Poverty Law Center has traced the messages to an overseas connection.
