Bethune-Cookman University students return to class after bomb threats close campus

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The FBI is investigating recent threats made to historically black colleges and universities, including Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach.

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It was the third time in less than a month that America’s HBCUs were targeted with threats.

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On Monday, a man called 9-1-1 claiming to be with the neo-Nazi group Atomwaffen and said he’d planted explosives around campus.

No devices were ever found, but the university canceled classes and asked students to stay in their dorms for much of the day as a precaution.

BCU was only one of a handful to receive threats Monday. More than a dozen others received threats on Tuesday.  Eight more were threatened on January 4th.

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Jessica Reaves is a former investigative researcher now working with the Anti-defamation league.

She says it’s no coincidence such threats are being made during Black History Month.

“Historically black colleges and universities are a very public symbol of black achievement, and this is going to make them a target for bigots and racists,” Reaves said. “We need to take all of these threats very seriously. We need to pay attention to who is being targeted, and we need to stand up in our communities against these kinds of threats and against this kind of hate, and that falls to all of us.”

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The FBI is working with local law enforcement to investigate the threats.

So far, no arrests have been made.

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