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Racist text messages target young African Americans post-election

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Racist text messages target young African Americans post-election


Black college and high school students report receiving racist texts about being “selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation.”

Federal, state, and local authorities are investigating the offensive messages that have been sent over the last two days.

“It’s sick and it’s wrong,” says St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones. Her 17-year old son, a high school student, received the text Wednesday night.

“This awful message that children around the country have been receiving about turning them into slaves and picking them up in an unmarked brown van,” she says. “I was furious.”

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Her father, the student’s grandfather, Virvus Jones, posted the message on social media.

He says it is no joking matter to harken back to something as horrible as slavery.

“I know they may think it’s funny, but I was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1947 when Jim Crow was legal, so it’s not funny to me.” he says.

Virvus Jones takes note of the timing of the texts, coming a day after a contentious, and dark, election.

He added, “What it says about this country is that there are a lot of people who would like to take us back to some form of slavery or some form of being subservient to white supremacy.”

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The Jones family is reporting the message, which appeared to come from a local phone number, to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department.

“These are some twisted individuals to target children like this, and I hope that they’re they are found and prosecuted,” says Mayor Tishaura Jones.

Civil rights groups across the country are encouraging people to report the texts to police and the FBI.

“This is alarming, both because there’s no indication who the text is from, but because all the people who received it were young African Americans,” says Margaret Huang, President and CEO of the Southern Poverty Law Center and the SPLC Action Fund.

The organization, which monitors hate groups, is trying to track down the origins of the text.

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“We have traced the texts being sent from emails that appear to have some international connection,” Huang says.

She says they’ve determined that the list of phone numbers may have been purchased from a company. “And we are trying to determine whether the company is indeed the source of this information and to whom they sold the information to actually make those texts possible.”

Huang says the SPLC is sharing its findings with federal officials. The FBI says it’s aware of the offensive and racist text messages and is in contact with the Justice Department and other federal authorities on the matter.

Several state attorneys general and campus police departments say they have opened investigations into the source of the disturbing robotexts.

Copyright 2024 NPR

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Maine

We Are the Watershed call for art

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We Are the Watershed call for art


A collective of environmental, arts and Indigenous-led organizations is collaborating to produce We Are the Watershed, a two-day event aimed at reconnecting humans with nature and revitalizing the health of waterways, estuaries, and the bay in Peskotomuhkatikuk (traditional Passamaquoddy territory). Events, including theatrical performances, music, culinary experiences and an exhibition of submitted artwork, will be held on May 1 and 2 at Eastport Arts Center (EAC). A publication of written and visual works will also be released with proceeds to support conservation efforts and spreading awareness of their impacts.

Submissions sought:
Written and visual works are currently sought from artists and creatives on both sides of the border across Peskotomuhkatikuk for the publication, which will be sold by donation at the May event. Proceeds from the sale will be dedicated to related community-building efforts, public engagement, and continued restoration efforts. The deadline for digital submission for the publication is April 1.

Physical works can be dropped off at EAC Sunday, April 26 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to be a part of the exhibition, which will run May 1 through 15. Artists under 18 will receive 100% of the proceeds if they opt to put their pieces up for sale during the exhibit, which will run May 1 through May 15. Artists over 18 will receive 70% of the proceeds with the remainder going toward promoting awareness of and supporting conservation efforts for the Passamaquoddy Bay.


The Eastport Arts Center

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Every week through Apr 01, 2026.
Friday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Event Supported By

Eastport Arts Center

(207) 853-4650

info@eastportartscenter.org

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Maine

NEWS CENTER Maine

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NEWS CENTER Maine
Through in-depth storytelling, through direct contact on digital on social platforms, through long-standing community service programs like Coats & Toys for Kids, Project Heat and Buddy to Buddy, NEWS CENTER Maine is dedicated to keeping Mainers connected. We can’t do it alone, though. Only by listening and interacting with YOU can we continue to connect ALL Mainers.



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Suspect arrested in murder of Robert Fuller, Jr., Maine attorney and philanthropist

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Suspect arrested in murder of Robert Fuller, Jr., Maine attorney and philanthropist


Police in Maryland have charged a suspect with first-degree murder in the shooting death of 87-year-old Robert Fuller Jr., a former Maine attorney and philanthropist, inside his senior living apartment in Gaithersburg on Valentine’s Day.

Authorities said the suspect is 22-year-old Maurquise Emilio James, a med tech at the facility where Fuller lived.

Montgomery County Department of Police.

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Police say 22-year-old Maurise Emilio James is charged with murder in the death of Robert Fuller, Jr.

At a press conference Wednesday, detectives said they reviewed surveillance video from the facility showing James near a door that’s alarm was deactivated. A video clip released of the suspect walking in the courtyard of the facility generated tips that helped to identify James.

Early February 24, Maryland State Police conducted a traffic stop of a sedan without tags. Police said the driver fired at the trooper. The officer was not seriously injured.

Investigators said evidence collected at the scene included at least one 9mm shell casing that indicated the same gun was used in both the shooting of Fuller and the incident involving the trooper.

No motive has been given.

Fuller practiced law in Maine for more than 35 years and supported many institutions in the Augusta area.

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