Threat Of Violence Against Students Of Color Shutters Schools In Charlottesville

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (AP) — Public schools in Charlottesville, Virginia, remain closed as authorities investigate a racist threat that was posted online.

News outlets report that the system’s nine schools were closed Thursday and Friday out of precaution after authorities told school officials of the threat on Wednesday.

Superintendent Rosa Atkins told families that the threat was “racially charged” and the school system does not tolerate hate or racism.

Charlottesville police said the threat targeted Charlottesville High School. The Washington Post says images circulating online referred to an anonymous messaging board and threatened to attack students of color. Charlottesville was the site of a deadly white nationalist rally in 2017.