DMV residents report receiving anonymous racist text messages

WASHINGTON — This week, multiple DMV residents are reportedly getting anonymous texts telling them to report for "slave" plantation assignments.

Maryland school districts Frederick County and Montgomery County Public Schools have sent out letters informing parents and condemning the messages.

"The purpose of this message is to share information about a scam involving text messages that contains hate speech. The messages reference individuals being selected for a slavery group and being required to report to a plantation. FCPS confirmed that similar messages have been shared in Maryland and across the country. While these messages are not credible, we recognize the subject matter is hateful. Any potential threat to school safety, which includes hate speech, rumors and offhand comments, is taken seriously." FCPS said in the letter to parents.

"We are aware that many individuals, including our students, have received text messages today containing racist threats. We condemn these hateful communications and the fear they aim to instill. We have learned that these messages are being received in many communities in our area and across the country. We recognize that the emotional and psychological impact on our students, staff, and particularly our communities of color is profound. We stand in solidarity with those who feel targeted and hurt by these actions." MCPS said in the letter to parents.

The school districts also say the Maryland Center for School Safety is aware of the texts and is working with law enforcement as they investigate.

The messages tells DC recipients they've been selected to be a "house slave" at a plantation, and to report to 300 7th Street S.W. The address is for a building that holds the Department of Homeland Security, WMATA and DC Housing Authority. WMATA says it's aware of the texts, and the message is not related to Metro in any way, and have notified law enforcement.

The remains of Abingdon Plantation sits just South of DC, in Arlington. Reagan National Airport sits on part of the plantation's former grounds.

A photographer from our sister station in Norfolk, 13 NewsNow, also received one of these texts Wednesday, along with a family member.

"I have a cousin up in Richmond who received the same text message," he said. "I found it weird that in my text messages, it had a different group number than his, and they both had our names."

The FBI announced it's aware of the messages and is in contact with the Justice Department on the matter. The DC Attorney General's office also released a statement saying,

"The Office of the Attorney General is aware of racist text messages being sent to District residents and condemns them unequivocally. Anyone receiving these messages should contact our civil rights section by calling 202-727-3400 or emailing OAGCivilRights@dc.gov."