LOS ANGELES (KABC) — Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Albert Carvalho sentenced racist text messages sent to black Americans across the country, and said some messages were sent to students in the district.
“We are aware of racist and inflammatory texts being sent nationwide, including to some of our students,” Carvalho said in a message Saturday afternoon. “We unequivocally condemn this hateful and threatening rhetoric. We are investigating this situation. If you receive any of these messages, students and families should contact their school for support.”
The messages, sent anonymously, were reported in several states, including New York, Alabama, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee.
On Wednesday, posts began popping up in several states referencing slavery and cotton picking.
The FBI is investigating the messages.
“The FBI is aware of the 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 agency said in a statement.
A senior law enforcement source told ABC News that it has not yet been determined whether the source of the racist text is domestic or foreign Efforts are being made to find the origin.
Call for a state of emergency over racist text messages
Los Angeles Urban Policy Rountable President Earl Ofari Hutchinson will call on LAUSD officials to declare a state of emergency on Monday in response to the text messages sent to Black students.
“The racist texts students received in LA schools pose a deadly danger to students through potential violence,” Hutchinson said in a statement. “The increase in hate crimes and hate violence makes it even more important that LAUSD officials take every safety measure to safeguard and protect African American students.”
Students in Rancho Cucamonga and Los Angeles were among recipients in several states who received racist text messages in the days after the 2024 election.
Nicole Nuñez, whose 15-year-old son attends Stella Charter School in Los Angeles, said her son and some of his friends also received a similar text message. She spoke to Eyewitness News and shared her frustration.
“I don’t understand why there is so much hate in this world. I don’t understand why they don’t like us because of the color of our skin,” Nuñez said. “My question is, how do they know my son’s name? How is all this information being sent out to minorities with our specific names? That’s very scary.”
Students at Los Osos High School in Rancho Cucamonga were also among those who received racist text messages.
City News Service contributed to this report.
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