Denver, CO
Black youths in Fort Collins, Denver among those targeted by racist post-election texts
![Black youths in Fort Collins, Denver among those targeted by racist post-election texts Black youths in Fort Collins, Denver among those targeted by racist post-election texts](https://www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/51083821.jpg?w=1024&h=685)
Black Coloradans report they are among the targets of a national pattern of insulting, racist text messages that sometimes refer to recipients by name and order them to “pick cotton” on a plantation.
The author or authors of the messages were still unknown as of Thursday, according to reporting by the Associated Press, though the messages claimed to have been sent on behalf of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump.
In many cases, the victims have been young adults and children. On Wednesday night, two Fort Collins girls, ages 14 and 16, received messages telling both that they would soon be forced to pick cotton, describing them as “hoodlums” and “negros.”
Their mother, Monique Mance, said she felt disgusted and fearful after reading the messages, which included the 16-year-old’s name and referred to the 14-year-old using a misogynistic slur.
“I feel hurt, because I don’t feel this is what Fort Collins is,” Mance said. “People here are beautiful, and friendly, and nice, and I’ve never had to deal with this. … It was tough to explain this to my daughters. Like, I don’t even want them to walk home from school now.”
She said the incident reminded her of racist abuse endured by Black people of her grandparents’ generation.
“It’s like, really? We’re going back to this?” she said.
Denver Public Schools spokesman Scott Pribble said similar messages were reported to police in at least one Denver high school, and Denver police said they were investigating two incidents where individuals received such messages.
The texts have also spurred inquiries by federal officials, with the Associated Press reporting Thursday that the FBI and U.S. Department of Justice were looking into the matter, as was the Federal Communications Commission. Black residents of New York, Alabama, California, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Tennessee have also been targeted.
Vikki Migoya, a spokeswoman for the FBI’s Denver field office, confirmed the FBI is partnering with other federal agencies in response to tips about the messages.
“The FBI is aware of the offensive and racist text messages sent to individuals around the country, including in Colorado,” she wrote in an email Friday. “As always, we encourage members of the public to report threats of physical violence to local law enforcement authorities.”
The Colorado Attorney General’s Office has also been informed about the messages, though spokesman Lawrence Pacheco said they could not comment on the status of any investigation or complaints.
While it is unclear whether the person or people responsible committed a crime or unlawfully obtained the personal information used to tailor messages for their recipients, the texts have spread fear at a time of heightened political tensions following a presidential election that hinged on issues of immigration and race.
Omar Montgomery, president of the Aurora branch of the NAACP, said he hasn’t heard from anyone in Denver’s sister city who has received the texts. However, he said a thorough investigation by federal law enforcement was crucial in light of the national political climate.
“When we talk about the racial overtones of this election and where the country is at now where people feel emboldened to share things that target specific groups, we’ve got to hit the reset button, regardless of who’s in office, or else these things are going to continue to divide our nation,” he said.
Montgomery also said his branch of the NAACP remains concerned about the mass deportations promised by Trump, nicknamed Operation Aurora by the president-elect’s campaign. He said the NAACP plans to monitor the treatment of Aurora residents who may be subject to deportation.
“Obviously, we’re concerned about people’s civil rights being protected,” he said.
Mance said she hopes there is at least a bipartisan consensus that targeting children with hateful rhetoric is unacceptable.
“I understand we don’t all agree on things, but leave my kids alone,” she said.
Get more Colorado news by signing up for our daily Your Morning Dozen email newsletter.
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
Denver, CO
Denver visits Eaglestaff and North Dakota
![Denver visits Eaglestaff and North Dakota Denver visits Eaglestaff and North Dakota](https://s.yimg.com/cv/apiv2/social/images/yahoo_default_logo-1200x1200.png)
Denver Pioneers (8-18, 2-9 Summit League) at North Dakota Fightin’ Hawks (9-17, 3-8 Summit League)
Grand Forks, North Dakota; Thursday, 8 p.m. EST
BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Fightin’ Hawks -8.5; over/under is 152.5
BOTTOM LINE: North Dakota takes on Denver after Treysen Eaglestaff scored 24 points in North Dakota’s 80-69 loss to the UMKC Kangaroos.
The Fightin’ Hawks are 6-5 on their home court. North Dakota ranks second in the Summit League in rebounding with 34.7 rebounds. Amar Kuljuhovic paces the Fightin’ Hawks with 6.8 boards.
The Pioneers are 2-9 in conference games. Denver is 2-12 against opponents with a winning record.
North Dakota averages 77.5 points per game, 1.9 fewer points than the 79.4 Denver gives up. Denver averages 7.5 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.4 fewer made shots on average than the 8.9 per game North Dakota gives up.
TOP PERFORMERS: Eaglestaff averages 2.4 made 3-pointers per game for the Fightin’ Hawks, scoring 18.3 points while shooting 34.1% from beyond the arc. Mier Panoam is shooting 52.0% and averaging 16.7 points over the past 10 games.
DeAndre Craig is scoring 13.5 points per game and averaging 3.7 rebounds for the Pioneers. Sebastian Akins is averaging 11.2 points and 1.7 rebounds over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Fightin’ Hawks: 3-7, averaging 80.4 points, 31.1 rebounds, 12.6 assists, 5.7 steals and 2.4 blocks per game while shooting 45.5% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 84.6 points per game.
Pioneers: 2-8, averaging 69.1 points, 26.7 rebounds, 11.0 assists, 5.5 steals and 3.0 blocks per game while shooting 46.0% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 78.8 points.
___
The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Denver, CO
Portland Trail Blazers at Denver Nuggets: Game preview, prediction, time, TV channel
The Portland Trail Blazers, when healthy, don’t match up well with the Denver Nuggets.
On Monday, the Blazers lost 146-117 at Denver while playing without Robert Williams III and Jerami Grant. Both are questionable for Wednesday night’s rematch.
Scoot Henderson (ankle) and Deandre Ayton (calf) are out.
Should all four miss the game, the Blazers would have virtually zero chance to win.
Denver destroyed the Blazers in virtually every statistical category on Monday. Losing Ayton and Henderson dramatically impacts the team’s ability to score in the paint, where the Nuggets held an 88-46 advantage in the first game.
The Blazers’ best shot to win would be to get hot from three-point range. Anfernee Simons, Deni Avdija and Shaedon Sharpe have the ability to do so, but it’s unlikely all three will get going enough on the same night to give Denver much trouble.
Prediction: The Nuggets could take the Blazers lightly, resulting in a relatively close game, if they put forth a better overall effort than they did on Monday.
But it would be reasonable for the Blazers to be cautious and not play Grant or Williams, with this being the final game before the All-Star break.
If just one sits out, along with Henderson and Ayton, the Blazers will absolutely leave Denver with another loss.
• • •
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS AT DENVER NUGGETS
What: Trail Blazers (23-31) at Nuggets (35-19), 6 p.m., Wednesday.
Where: Ball Arena, Denver.
Radio: Rip City Radio (KPOJ 620 AM).
TV channel: KATU (Antenna: 2.2 in Portland. Xfinity: 302 and 1170. DirecTV: 688-1. KUNP (Antenna: 47.1. Xfinity: 16, 302, 1170. DirecTV: 47. Spectrum: 184).
How to Watch: Rip City TV Network. If you don’t have cable, you can still watch this game live for FREE with the help of an HDTV antenna on your local ABC affiliate (Charge 2.2 in Portland). These antennas are very easy to install and cost around $20. You can purchase one at your local Bi-Mart or Fred Meyer, or buy one online at Walmart or from Amazon and have it shipped quickly to your home. Here are some instructions on how to set up an HDTV antenna on your television or other display. You can find out more about which channel Rip City TV Network is on in your area by using the channel finder here.
• • •
ODDS (Oregon Lottery/DraftKings)
Moneyline: POR +295 | DEN -375
Spread: POR +8.5 | Over/Under: 233
INJURIES
Blazers: Robert Williams III (right knee soreness), Jerami Grant (right knee soreness) and Kris Murray (left quad contusion) are questionable. Deandre Ayton (left calf strain), Scoot Henderson (right ankle sprain) and Matisse Thybulle (right ankle sprain) are out.
Nuggets: Jamal Murray (left knee inflammation) and Aaron Gordon (right calf injury management) are probable. Michael Porter Jr. (left hamstring tightness) is questionable. Russell Westbrook (left hamstring strain), Peyton Watson (right knee sprain). Vlatko Cancar and (left knee surgery), DaRon Holmes (right Achilles tendon repair) are out.
NEXT UP
All-Star break. The Blazers host the Los Angeles Lakers at 7 p.m. Feb. 20.
— Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)
Denver, CO
Broncos Reacts Survey: Should Denver try to trade for Deebo Samuel?
![Broncos Reacts Survey: Should Denver try to trade for Deebo Samuel? Broncos Reacts Survey: Should Denver try to trade for Deebo Samuel?](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/-wy-LZ0YW6gGUKlksvUapHukqe4=/871x322:3713x1810/fit-in/1200x630/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25869675/usa_today_25088219.jpg)
The San Francisco 49ers have decided to put wide receiver Deebo Samuel on the trade block. He joined Los Angeles Rams standout Cooper Kupp as two veteran wide receivers now on the market. For the Denver Broncos, I think of the two only Samuel could make sense and that’s where our SB Nation Reacts survey is going this week.
Denver is among teams listed as best destinations for Deebo. With Courtland Sutton turning 30 this year, Deebo Samuel isn’t that far behind having just turned 29. Sutton is also entering the final year of his contract. Deebo could be a short-term rental that could enhance the weapons available to Bo Nix next season.
The only question is compensation. Here’s the hypothetical: if the compensation lands in a range that you think is in the value range, should the Broncos pull the trigger on a trade? Vote below and I’ll share the results later this week!
Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NFL. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Denver Broncos fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.
-
Politics1 week ago
Tulsi Gabbard confirmation fate to be tested with key committee vote
-
Technology1 week ago
Trump’s first 100 days: all the news affecting the tech industry
-
News1 week ago
'Beyond betrayal.' Venezuelans in Florida are angry at Trump immigration policy
-
World1 week ago
Montenegro pursues values-driven EU enlargement process
-
World1 week ago
Trump says US will ‘own’ Gaza in redevelopment plan
-
News1 week ago
Congressional Democrats to Trump: Changes can't be done in secrecy
-
Politics1 week ago
CIA offering buyouts to its entire workforce: report
-
Education1 week ago
Trump’s Orders Could Drain Millions From Universities, but Few Protest Openly