FBI or Department of Justice statement or investigation report

FBI Probes Racist 'Pick Cotton' Texts Sent to Black Americans Nationwide

Nov 8, 2024, 05:53 AM

Authorities across the United States are investigating a series of racist text messages sent to Black individuals in multiple states following the 2024 election. The messages, sent anonymously and invoking slavery, instructed recipients to "pick cotton at the nearest plantation," with some including specific addresses such as "300 7th Street S.W." in Washington D.C., and directing recipients to "gather their belongings and wait" to be picked up in a van. Some messages were signed "A Trump supporter" and arrived on people's phones a day after Election Day. The messages have targeted individuals from middle school students to adults in states including Alabama, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Georgia, Michigan, Arizona, Wisconsin, Maryland, Virginia, Louisiana, Florida, Arkansas, Texas, South Carolina, Massachusetts, New York, and Washington D.C. The FBI has released an official statement acknowledging the offensive and racist messages and is in contact with the Department of Justice and other federal authorities. The NAACP and state officials, including Maryland's Attorney General, have condemned the messages, urging recipients to report them to authorities. Educational institutions are warning parents and students about the messages, which have raised alarms nationwide as investigations continue to identify the perpetrators behind this campaign.