Authorities are investigating massive racist messages sent to black Americans

State and federal authorities are investigating widespread racist text messages among black Americans in multiple states, including Ohio.

messages vary but follow the same basic script, telling recipients that they will be picked up, taken to a plantation, and assigned to pick cotton.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation said on Xformerly known as Twitter, said it is in contact with the US Department of Justice and other federal authorities.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said on X that his office is looking into the text messages. “Other people do not have a First Amendment right to your phone, and free speech does not protect against telephone harassment,” he said.

One service blocked messages

TextSpot, a mass texting service based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, reported an attempt to send racist messages through its platform.

“An attempt was made, but no messages were sent from our system,” said TextSpot CEO Lance Beaudry.

A new user signed up for TextSpot on November 6 under the name “Amy Jones” and an account phone number with an area code of 215. The user attempted to send a message to a number 215 and a number with a Wisconsin area code.

The message contained the phrases “be prepared to be searched” and “pick cotton at the nearest plantation.”

Beaudry said TextSpot uses artificial intelligence to identify potential problems, especially with new accounts. Not all word processing software platforms do this, he says.

Beaudry forwarded the information to the Grand Rapids Police Department in Michigan.

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Across Ohio, racist text messages used Ohio area codes, but checking some numbers cited downed lines. Beaudry said senders’ attempts to use local codes could indicate it’s a scam.

Beaudry said his team told him that targeting specific demographic groups, such as black Americans, could potentially be done by obtaining data that had been leaked.

Racist messages condemned

NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said. written statement that there is no place for hatred in democracy.

“The threat—and the mention of slavery in 2024—is not only deeply troubling, it perpetuates a legacy of evil that dates back to the Jim Crow era and now seeks to prevent Black Americans from enjoying the same freedom to lead lives.” freedom and happiness,” Johnson said. “These actions are not normal. And we don’t let them become the norm.”

Laura Bischoff is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network’s Ohio bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations throughout Ohio..