BLOOMFIELD, Conn. — The FBI said Thursday they are investigating a flurry of offensive and racist text messages hitting peoples' phones across the country. This includes Connecticut after town officials in Bloomfield noted some of their students received these messages.
Bloomfield officials said they are working alongside federal and local police in the investigation. The racist and derogatory messages were sent to students and other community members.
According to the Associated Press, messages reached people in New York, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, and Alabama.
The messages began on Nov. 6 after the election as multiple people on social media from across the country claimed they or someone they knew received these messages, which told them to report to the "nearest plantation to either pick cotton" or become a "house slave."
“Greetings,
You have been selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation. Be ready at 1:00 pm SHARP with your belongings. Our Executive Slaves will come get you in a Brown Van, be prepared to be searched down once you’ve enter the plantation. You are in Plantation Group C. good day."
It's unknown who is behind these texts at this time. A preliminary investigation showed the messages come from at least 25 different area codes.
Bloomfield's leader sent a message to the community, saying, in part, "We are deeply disturbed by the recent remarks involving this racially offensive language, which violates the core values of respect, inclusion, and equality that we hold as a town and school district.
Racist language, behavior, and rhetoric have no place in Bloomfield, and we are committed to ensuring that every member of our community feels safe, valued, and respected."
---
MORE NEWS
---
Jennifer Glatz is a digital content producer at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jglatz@fox61.com.
Lindsey Kane is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at Lkane@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iOS: Click here to download
Android: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Steam Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.