(NewsNation) — Some of the racist text messages sent to Black people and others across the United States may have originated from Poland, but an original source can’t be traced yet.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said Friday that some of the text messages originated from a VPN in the Eastern European nation, but it could be from another location entirely.
“At this time, they have found no original source — meaning they could have originated from any bad actor state in the region or the world. We will continue to investigate,” Murrill added.
While the messages vary, the sentiment remains similar among many. An image posted to social media shows a text message that read “You have been selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation.”
“Be ready at 1:00 pm SHARP with your belongings. Our Executive Slaves will come get you in a Brown Van, be prepared to be searched down once you’ve enter the plantation. You are in Plantation Group C. good day.”
The FBI released a statement Thursday saying it was “aware of the offensive and racist text messages sent to individuals around the country and is in contact with the Justice Department and other federal authorities on the matter.
“As always, we encourage members of the public to report threats of physical violence to local law enforcement authorities.”
The NAACP also released a statement Thursday, condemning the messages received by Black people in Alabama, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, and condeming President-elect Donald Trump.
“The unfortunate reality of electing a president who, historically has embraced, and at times encouraged hate, is unfolding before our eyes,” President and CEO Derrick Johnson said in the release.
“These messages represent an alarming increase in vile and abhorrent rhetoric from racist groups across the country, who now feel emboldened to spread hate and stoke the flames of fear that many of us are feeling after Tuesday’s election results.”
“We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again — there is no place for hate in a democracy.”
