LOS ANGELES, CA – Racist text messages sent to students across the United States, including those in Los Angeles County, have sparked widespread anger and demands for heightened security measures. The messages, which included hateful language and references to forced labor, have prompted local leaders, educators, and activists to condemn the attacks and urge immediate action to protect students.
“Racism, hatred, and fearmongering will find no safe harbor in Los Angeles County,” County Supervisor Holly Mitchell said in a statement. “The wave of racist texts that students across the nation have received in the wake of the Presidential election results is disturbing and will not be tolerated.”
Community activist Earl Ofari Hutchinson held a press conference Tuesday, calling for the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) to take stronger measures to safeguard students. “We have to take these things seriously,” Hutchinson said, emphasizing the harmful impact of such messages in the current divisive climate.
The text messages, sent to students’ phones, contained explicit racist language and mock instructions for a fictitious forced-labor scenario, creating fear and outrage among recipients and their families. The LAUSD issued a statement condemning the messages as “offensive and racist” but did not outline any immediate plans to increase security or police presence on school campuses.
Hutchinson has called for greater visibility of law enforcement at schools, expressing frustration that no increased security measures have been observed despite the district’s condemnation of the texts.
Inglewood Mayor James Butts condemned the messages as “disgusting,” calling them an exploitative act meant to deepen divisions within the nation. “Hopefully the FBI can identify the person(s) responsible,” Butts said.
Cybersecurity experts suggest the messages may have originated from stolen personal information sold on the dark web. Steve Cobb, a cybersecurity analyst, noted the possibility that the data was sourced from outside the United States. “That data is available on the dark web, and anybody can access it,” Cobb said, highlighting the challenges of tracing such attacks.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass also decried the messages as “shocking and despicable,” stating that the FBI is investigating the incidents. “Here in Los Angeles, we do not tolerate racism or hate of any kind,” Bass said, pledging to work closely with LAUSD Superintendent Alberto Carvalho to ensure student safety.
Brian Levin, professor emeritus at California State University, San Bernardino, recommended practical steps for parents to protect their children, including blocking unknown numbers and limiting communication to trusted contacts. “Try to put as many blocks as you can,” Levin advised, noting that parents could also consider changing phone numbers as a last resort.
The FBI confirmed it is aware of the incident and is collaborating with the Department of Justice and other federal agencies to investigate. As the inquiry continues, community leaders are urging vigilance and swift action to address the root causes of such hateful acts and to ensure the safety and well-being of all students.
