“We are not intimidated. We are not scared,” says EWU, one of several HBCUs targeted by bomb threats

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Things have returned to normal on the campus of Edward Waters University.

The campus was locked down for several hours on Tuesday after it received a bomb threat and threat of violence this morning, just before 4 a.m.

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Action News Jax Courtney Cole reports that Edward Waters University was one of the several Historically Black Colleges or Universities that received threats today, the first day of Black History Month.

“These kind of heinous threats really resonate with me, particularly deeply, because I’m a graduate of an HBCU,” said Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr., president of Edward Waters University.

As a leader of one as well, Dr. Faison, Jr., said it’s hurtful to see prestigious, HBCUs nationwide targeted in this way.

“There’s been so much support for Edward Waters University,” Dr. Faison, Jr., told Action News Jax.

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On Tuesday morning, EWU shared a tweet saying in part, “We received an anonymous bomb and threat of violence to the EWU campus.”

“They sent out a mass text message to everybody, letting us know what was going on. And right now they have every R.A. at every door, making sure no one leaves their room,” said Trinity Mitchell, a senior at Edward Waters University.

According to a tweet from the university this afternoon, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office conducted four thorough sweeps of the campus.

“I was shocked. I couldn’t believe that you know, we had a threat,” said Gregory Orr, a junior at Edward Waters University.

A press conference was also held on Tuesday evening at St. Paul A.M.E Church following the lifting of the campus lockdown.

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Dr. Faison collaborated with Bishop Frank M. Reid III, presiding prelate of the 11th Episcopal District, A.M.E. Church, as well as other community leaders and clergy members.

The message of strength and perseverance from Dr. Faison was clear.

“We are not intimidated. We are not scared. We have a history of seeing things through despite challenges,” Dr. Faison said.

This is a sentiment likely shared by other HBCU leaders as well.

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EWU was one of more than twelve HBCUs to be targeted over the last two days.

Today, threats were also made at Howard University, Spelman College, Morgan State University, Kentucky State University, Fort Valley State University and Xavier University.

Action News Jax asked Dr. Faison what he believes needs to happen, to prevent something like this from happening in the future.

“The larger conversation is a conversation around race. A larger conversation around an appreciation for the tremendous value of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. We don’t think it’s a coincidence,” Dr. Faison said.

The FBI is the leading agency on this investigation.

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When Action News Jax reached out to learn more about who is behind the threats, both locally and nationwide, and if anyone is in custody, the agency sent her a response via email saying in part: “The FBI is aware of the series of bomb threats around the country and we are working with our law enforcement partners to address any potential threats.”

Dr. Faison said that he’s not going to let this threat interfere with the bright future of Edward Waters University.

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