Harris announces grants for HBCUs that received bomb threats

Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday introduced grants and a useful resource information for traditionally Black schools and universities that had been focused with bomb threats, saying the Biden-Harris administration would “do every little thing in our energy to guard all our communities, from violence and from hate.”

Since January, bomb threats have been leveled at greater than a 3rd of so-called HBCUs, together with Albany State College in Georgia, Jackson State College in Mississippi, Bethune–Cookman College in Florida and Howard College in Washington, D.C, in response to the White Home.

The threats have disrupted campus life, diverted assets and elevated the burden on psychological well being facilities.

The grants introduced by Harris would award eligible schools whose campuses have been considerably disrupted between $50,000 to $150,000.

The cash can be utilized to for psychological well being, enhanced campus safety and different functions. Harris additionally introduced that establishments would have entry to a federal useful resource information on defending, stopping and recovering from “acts of violence,” Harris stated.

“This intimidation won’t stand, and we won’t be intimidated,” Harris stated.

Since final yr, the Biden-Harris administration has awarded HBCUs $5.8 billion.

In her remarks, Harris additionally famous the rise in hate crimes nationwide, which have “introduced worry and anxiousness to locations of peace.”

Since January, greater than 80 nameless bomb threats have been made in opposition to dozens of HBCUs, traditionally Black church buildings, synagogues and different establishments, Harris stated. She additionally highlighted the Atlanta spa shootings, which occurred one yr in the past Wednesday and led to the deaths of eight individuals, together with six ladies of Asian descent.

On the White Home, Harris was joined by Atty. Gen. Merrick Garland, Training Secretary Miguel Cardona, Home Majority Chief Steny Hoyer of Maryland and campus leaders, together with Jackson State College President Thomas Ok. Hudson and Delaware State College President Tony Allen.