Racist Text Spam Sent In MD, Leaders Condemn Messages

MARYLAND — Authorities across the country are investigating after residents of Maryland and several other states reported receiving racist spam text messages referencing slavery, according to multiple reports citing authorities and social media posts.

Some texts address the recipients by first and last name. Many are targeting Black Americans directly, including students.

According to one of the messages sent to a photographer at WVEC in Virginia, the receiver is told to gather their belongings because they have been selected to "pick cotton at the nearest plantation." The person is told he will be picked up by an "executive slave" and taken to the plantation, where he will be searched.

Screenshots of the texts shared on X and submitted to WJLA contain the same message with slight variations in its language.

In a message sent to families, officials with Montgomery County Public Schools said "many individuals, including students" had received text messages Thursday containing racist threats.

"We condemn these hateful communications and the fear they aim to instill," district officials said in the statement obtained by The MoCoShow. "Local law enforcement and the FBI are aware of these messages, and law enforcement in some areas have announced they consider the messages low-level threats."

Patch has reached out to Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown's office to see if authorities are aware of the texts and if Maryland students are being targeted. Patch will update this story when we have a response.

Individuals in other states including Pennsylvania and Alabama have also reported receiving similar text messages.

D.C. police and the Office of the Attorney General said they were aware of the texts in statements sent to Fox 5 DC and WJLA.

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares also condemned the messages when contacted by WVEC.

"The Attorney General's Office is aware of these text messages and unequivocally condemns them," Miyares said in a statement. "Anyone who believes themselves to be under threat should not hesitate to contact local law enforcement and their local FBI field office by calling 1-800-CALL-FBI (or 1-800-225-5324) or visiting FBI.gov/tips."

Anyone who receives a similar text message can also submit a report to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.