Congresswoman Nikema Williams Demands the DOJ & FBI Investigate the Nationwide Threats to HBCUs
WASHINGTON D.C. – Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05), along with Representative Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Representative Cleo Fields (LA-06), sent a letter to Attorney General Pamela Bondi and Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kash Patel, concerning recent reports that students, faculty and staff at Clark Atlanta University, Alabama State University, Virginia State University, Hampton University, Bethune Cookman University, Southern University, and Morgan State University faced threats to campus on September 11th and 12th, 2025. Other universities, including Spelman College, locked down or cancelled classes out of an abundance of caution.
Congresswoman Nikema Williams urged the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and Department of Justice (DOJ) to prosecute any persons found to have made these threats to the fullest extent of the law, including consideration of whether any actions violated federal, state, or local hate crimes, or anti-terrorism statutes.
The 5th Congressional District of Georgia is the proud home of the largest consortium of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the country – including Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, Morris Brown College, Spelman College, and the Interdenominational Theological Center. Across the country, these and other HBCUs are under threat.
The members wrote:
“When there are threats to HBCU campuses, the intended message is clear: institutions of Black communities, and hubs for Black achievement are not safe.”
“Threats of violence, and targeting Black students and institutions are an ongoing and extreme threat against Black communities. While we are grateful that Thursday’s threats were not carried out, violence against Black communities is a real and present danger.”
“We cannot and will not stand by while students are unable to learn, while institutions are on-edge, and while our communities are not safe. We stand with the students, faculty, and staff that call HBCUs home, and urge you to fully investigate the disturbing threats made against HBCUs across the country last week.”
Read the full letter here.