Federal investigators are investigating offensive text messages sent to cell phone numbers across the country this week.
The text messages featured images of slavery and told recipients, including school-age children and college students, that they would be taken to a plantation in a van. The text messages appear to be primarily sent to black recipients, but it's unclear where the numbers were obtained or whether non-black recipients were also contacted.
One recipient told NBC4 Washington that he received a message saying he was “chosen to pick cotton.”
The text message read: “Hello. You have been selected to pick cotton at your local farm.” “Please have your belongings ready at 12:00 p.m.
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The FBI is in contact with other authorities regarding an investigation into a large number of racist text messages sent this week. (St. Petersburg)
“Our executive slave will pick you up in a black van. Be prepared to be searched once you enter the plantation. You are in Plantation Group S.”
A woman named Pam, who asked that her last name not be used, told local media that the messages were “alarming”. She said her friends and family also received the messages, which included the recipient's name.
“Some of the messages included names of individuals,” Pam said. “Some messages started with the greeting that people would be enslaved and that buses would come to pick them up.
“How did you get my number, how do you protect it, how do you protect yourself, and what are you going to do about this?”
Another recipient named Maya told FOX 4 Dallas that she received a racist text and was deeply disturbed by its content.
“I have never experienced racism like this before,” she said. “When someone called me that name, I really didn't know what to say. It really hurt my heart. It hurt my feelings and I was scared.”
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One recipient told FOX 4 Dallas he was deeply disturbed by the racist message. (FOX 4 Dallas)
The FBI acknowledged the text messages in an official statement and said the incident was under investigation.
“The FBI is aware of offensive and racist text messages being sent to individuals across the country and is in contact with the Department of Justice and other federal authorities regarding this matter,” the bureau said. Ta.
“As always, we encourage the public to report threats of physical violence to local law enforcement.”
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) told The Associated Press that it “takes this type of targeting very seriously.”
“These messages are unacceptable,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said.
The message was directed at a black person, and it is unclear how the number was obtained. (St. Petersburg)
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Fox News Digital reached out to the FBI for an update on the investigation, but did not immediately receive a response.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
