The Maryland Attorney General’s Office is urging victims of racist text messages targeting Black residents to report the incidents for investigation and support, stating such hate has no place in the state.
Per the news release: “The Office of the Attorney General has received multiple reports of racist text messages sent to Black Marylanders from unknown sources. These texts, though varying in language, generally instruct the recipient to “board a bus” to be transported to a “plantation” to work as a slave. The messages are believed to be part of a nationwide campaign targeting Black individuals following the election.
Among those receiving these texts were school-aged and college students, causing significant distress and concern. It is crucial that anyone who receives such a text reports it to their local law enforcement agency to help track these hate messages, and also to the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division for further evaluation.
Victims can file a complaint with the Civil Rights Division using this form: https://bit.ly/48w8WF7 or with the Maryland Commission on Hate Crimes Response and Prevention at https://nohomeforhate.md.gov.
“These messages are horrific, unacceptable, and will not be tolerated. If you have been sent one of these texts, I am asking for you to please come forward and report it,” said Attorney General Brown. “I am committed to protecting the rights of all Marylanders. There is no home for hate in Maryland.”