Racist Text Message Spam Sent In PA, Attorney General Investigating

PENNSYLVANIA — Racist text messages have been sent far and wide to residents in Pennsylvania and around the country, according to dozens of social media posts and authorities.

Some of the texts address the recipients by first and last name. Many text target Black Americans directly.

Authorities said they are investigating.

"The Office of Attorney General is aware of mass text messages circulating in the Commonwealth and across the country," Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said in a statement Thursday. "Our office strongly condemns this type of malicious conduct, which serves no purpose but to spread hate and promote divisiveness."

Screenshots of the texts shared on X address the recipients as "slaves" and state that "you have been selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation."

It's not clear yet exactly how many individuals have been impacted, and where, but a report from CBS 21 confirmed that in Pennsylvania, the texts have hit Dauphin County. The attorney general's statement implies they are widespread in the state.

Outlets around the country have reported similar instances in Virginia, Maryland, and Alabama.

No arrests have yet been made.