Grants announced for HBCUs that received bomb threats

WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday announced grants and a resource guide for historically Black colleges and universities that were targeted with bomb threats, saying the Biden-Harris administration would “do everything in our power to protect all our communities, from violence and from hate.”

Since January, bomb threats have been leveled at more than a third of so-called HBCUs, including Albany State University in Georgia, Jackson State University in Mississippi, Bethune-Cookman University in Florida and Howard University in Washington, D.C, according to the White House.

The threats have disrupted campus life, diverted resources and increased the burden on mental health centers.

The grants announced by Harris would award eligible colleges whose campuses have been significantly disrupted between $50,000 to $150,000.

The money can be used to for mental health, enhanced campus security and other purposes. Harris also announced that institutions would have access to a federal resource guide on protecting, preventing and recovering from “acts of violence,” Harris said.

“This intimidation will not stand, and we will not be intimidated,” Harris said.

Since last year, the Biden-Harris administration has awarded HBCUs $5.8 billion.

In her remarks, Harris also noted the rise in hate crimes nationwide, which have “brought fear and anxiety to places of peace.”

Since January, more than 80 anonymous bomb threats have been made against dozens of HBCUs, historically Black churches, synagogues and other institutions, Harris said. She also highlighted the Atlanta spa shootings, which occurred one year ago Wednesday and led to the deaths of eight people, including six women of Asian descent.