INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Federal and local officials confirm racist text messages invoking slavery targeted some mobile phone customers in Indiana Thursday.
Bloomington Mayor Kerry Thomson confirmed in a statement Friday that people living in the Monroe County city had received the messages.
“In light of recent reports of hate speech, both nationally and within our community, the City of Bloomington unequivocally condemns all acts of hatred and hate speech,” Thomson said in a statement. “We stand firm in our commitment to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all residents.”
The mayor’s office said the complaints came from both students and residents in Bloomington.
A spokesperson for Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said neither the city nor IMPD had not yet received official reports of the messages in Indianapolis.
A spokesperson for the FBI office in Indianapolis told News 8 that the agency had received complaints about the messages from Indiana residents, but could not provide specific cities connected to the complaints.