Federal and State authorities are working to find the origins of the racist text messages sent to black people across the country referencing slavery and telling them they were “selected to pick cotton at the nearest plantation.”

Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, who represents the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that since receiving the results of the 2024 Presidential Elections, “we have witnessed vile text messages sent en masse to primarily Black youths all across our country.

“I am outraged by this attack. For countless Black Americans to be bombarded with threatening and dehumanizing text messages is not only a grave danger to young people at this vulnerable moment for our nation but an affront and insult to our shared humanity.

“Within our traditional and new media spaces, in our communities, and even in our government, hate continues to be encouraged to a disturbing degree. We must not stand idly by as racism and bigotry become even more pervasive and further normalized in America.

“I urge a full investigation into the source of these despicable messages and call for the perpetrators of this hateful scheme to be held accountable for their actions,” she told CMC.

New York Attorney General Letitia James has also urged New Yorkers to report racist or hateful text messages from anonymous senders targeting black and brown people and Caribbean and other immigrants – including students – in New York and nationwide.

“The racist text messages targeting New Yorkers, including middle school, high school and college students, are disgusting and unacceptable. I unequivocally condemn any attempt to intimidate or threaten New Yorkers and their families.

“I encourage anyone in New York who has received an anonymous, threatening text message to report it to my office,” she urged, stating that, in recent days, there have been reports of New Yorkers and people across the country, including Caribbean immigrants, receiving messages from unknown, anonymous senders claiming that they have been “selected to pick cotton at [their] nearest plantation,” or “chosen to be a slave.”

“These texts appear to be targeting black and brown individuals, including students and may include personal information about the recipient such as their name or location,” the Attorney General said.

James and New York Governor Kathy Hochul say they have recommitted to protecting the fundamental freedoms of New Yorkers, including Caribbean nationals, as President-Elect Donald J. Trump prepares to take office on January 20, 2025.

James and Hochul announced a strengthened partnership, including new dedicated staff, to address potential US federal legal threats to reproductive freedom, gun safety laws, and other vital issues.

The governor also announced the new Empire State Freedom Initiative, which convened before Election Day last Tuesday and has already begun developing comprehensive plans to address any policy and regulatory threats that may emerge from a Trump administration.

Hochul said that New York has already taken steps to protect access to safe and legal abortions, including the passage on Tuesday of Proposition 1, which enshrines reproductive freedoms in the State Constitution.

“As Attorney General, I will always stand up to protect New Yorkers and fight for our rights and values,” said Attorney General James.

“My office has been preparing for a potential second Trump administration, and I am ready to do everything in my power to ensure our state and nation do not go backward,” she said, recalling, “During his first term, we stood up for the rule of law and defended against abuses of power and federal efforts to harm New Yorkers.

“Together with Governor Hochul, our State and local government partners, and my colleague attorneys general from throughout the nation, we will work daily to defend Americans, no matter what this new administration throws at us. We are ready to fight back again.” Hochul said the safety and well-being of New Yorkers are her top priorities.

“I’m committed to working with anyone on policies that make our state stronger, safer, and more livable — but my administration will also be prepared to protect New Yorkers’ fundamental freedoms from potential threats.”

James said the partnership would also include coordination with attorneys at state agencies and local governments across the State.