Police investigating after students of color receive racist text messages in Massachusetts, Alabama, California, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee

STOUGHTON — Chief Donna McNamara reports that the Stoughton Police Department is investigating racist text messages that were sent to students as part of a nationwide trend.

On Thursday, Stoughton Public Schools administrators were notified that six students, including students of color, received racist text messages.

The messages, which were sent anonymously, have been reported in several states, including Alabama, California, Mississippi, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.

According to the New York Times, the messages summoned Black people to report for slavery including picking cotton at a plantation.

Stoughton Public Schools contacted Stoughton Police, and the department began an investigation.

Police are investigating whether the text messages were targeted toward certain students.

Stoughton Police are working with Massachusetts State Police and the Commonwealth Fusion Center to share information and investigate the matter. Stoughton Police are also continuing to collaborate with Stoughton Public Schools.

“The Stoughton Police Department takes this abhorrent racist behavior extremely seriously, and we’re committed to conducting a thorough investigation to try to determine the source of these messages,” Chief McNamara said. “Racism in any form has no place in our schools, our community, or our society, and we will stand firm in our efforts to eradicate it.”