EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU) — The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released a statement on Friday regarding offensive and racist text and email messages sent to minority communities.
The FBI states that they are in contact with the Justice Department and other federal authorities on the matter.
Reports indicate that the text varies in specific messaging, but most say that the recipient has been selected to pick cotton on a plantation, and has now expanded to high school students and members of the Hispanic and LGBTQIA+ communities.
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Officials say some recipients said they were selected for deportation or re-education camps.
Authorities state that although there have been no reported acts of violence stemming from the messages, they are evaluating all reported incidents and engaging with the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.
Recipients of messages consistent with those described are encouraged to report the details to the FBI by phone at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or online at tips.fbi.gov.