Racist text messages were sent to Black people across the country, many of them school age, including students in Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS).

“The FBI is aware of offensive and racist text messages being sent to individuals across the country and is in contact with the Department of Justice and other federal officials regarding the matter,” according to the statement. “As always, we encourage our public to report threats of physical violence to local law enforcement.”

MCPS sent a letter to families, students and staff on Thursday, stating: “They are aware that many people, including our students, have received text messages containing racist threats. We condemn these hateful communications and the fear they aim to instill.”

School district administrators also wrote: “We stand in solidarity with those who feel targeted and hurt by these actions.”

Anyone who receives one of these messages is asked to report it to school staff or local authorities.

Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown wrote about X: “My office has received numerous complaints about racist text messages sent to Black Marylanders, including school-age children. These messages appear to be part of a nationwide campaign and are appalling and unacceptable. If you receive one of these texts, please report it to your local law enforcement agency for follow-up and to our Civil Rights Division for evaluation. Hate has no home in Maryland.”

Brown issued a news release, stating that many different messages were circulating but that each text “at least instructed the recipient to ‘board the bus’ to be transported to a ‘plantation’ to work as a slave.”

He continued his statement: “These messages are terrible, unacceptable and will not be tolerated. “If you have been sent one of these messages, I implore you to please come forward and report it,” adding: “I am committed to protecting the rights of all Marylanders. Hate has no home in Maryland.”

Montgomery County Councilman Will Jawando wrote on social media: “Racist messages he received @MCPS students and other members of our Black community across the state is unacceptable.

Maryland Delegate Lorig Charkoudian also shared about the messages. “If we should Stand up and stop all hate, especially now that a new wave is emerging. If you receive these messages, report them to law enforcement and stand up for those who are targeted.

Below is one of the messages shared many times on social media.