Black and African student groups have faced increased police presence at events amidst the current political climate, with threats against Black students on Sept. 11 and the shooting during a Somali Student Association event on Sept. 18. 

Many historically Black colleges and universities went on lockdown after receiving multiple threats on Sept. 11, according to ABC News. 

Co-University engagement chair for the Black Student Union, Simon Dyson, said he and his board took immediate action once they heard the University Office for Equity and Diversity had received the emailed threat. Dyson warned Mi Gente, a Latino student group, and advised them to close their room due to the threats.

“As soon as I saw that, I was like, ‘okay, everybody go home now,’” Dyson said. “There’s no reason for us to be here, even if it’s fake.” 

Dyson said he believes the assassination of Charlie Kirk fueled the hateful rhetoric and threats among right-wing groups nationwide. Dyson said he believes the threats reflected negative sentiments he believes Kirk held toward Black people, despite the threats being deemed a hoax,

Before they received the threats, Dyson said he and other BSU members were discussing the politics and the legacy surrounding the murder of Kirk. 

“It seems like that legacy basically kicked us out [of the discussion] at that time,” Dyson said. “I think the anger around his death is merely a reflection of who holds power in this country at the moment.” 

Dyson said he was not surprised the threat happened, due to various platforms that debate whether or not marginalized groups deserve rights. He added that though racial politics are tense,  there are also economic factors contributing to people feeling very worn down and tired. 

Co-University engagement chair for the BSU, Waah Ndeh, said violence against people of color in the U.S. is common, which has made her desensitized to many threats and acts of racism made toward Black people. However, she said she was disappointed in the way the University of Minnesota Police Department handled the threats. 

On Sept. 11, UMPD issued a SAFE-U alert at 3:30 p.m. addressing the threats made earlier that day, eventually deeming it a hoax. But the alert did not mention that the threats were made specifically toward Black students. 

“They send out a very vague alert that omits the fact that this threat was towards people of color,” Ndeh said. “It’s disheartening.” 

Other predominantly Black student groups are questioning their safety on campus. The Oromo Student Union has dealt with their events being disrupted by violent threats.

The Oromo Student Union requested the UMPD attend their kickstarter event in response to the shooting that occurred during an SSA event. President Maati Dekama said he felt UMPD was needed at the kickstarter, since their group is another African student group like the SSA.

Dekama said the shooting of George Floyd and Daunte Wright are just two of many examples of police targeting Black people, which has made him conflicted to bring UMPD to their events. 

“There’s systems in place that have put certain communities at risk of being over policed, unfortunately, and I’m aware of that,” Dekama said.

Dekama said though the UMPD officers at the kickstarter were helpful, there were still people flashing guns during the event. He said there have been multiple occurrences of mostly young African American men coming to Oromo events and causing disruption. 

“These young men don’t take education or their cultural identity seriously, and they try to fit in a role with street and gang culture,” Dekama said. “These young men are not getting the tools that they need to succeed.”

Dekama said many young Black men in Minnesota fall into violent groups for many reasons, such as the systematic oppression and hatred towards people of color in America.

“It’s okay to be Black, it’s okay to be African, it’s okay to be an immigrant,” Dekama said. “That’s the beauty of America, this is the land of immigrants.”

Dekama said he sees a lack of supervision and role models within the East African community. He said many immigrant parents have to work long hours to support their families, meaning they can’t spend as much time as they want with their children.

“These young men get a ridiculous amount of freedom for their age,” Dekama said. “It’s truly not their fault at all, and that’s what makes it more frustrating.”

Dekama added that there is also not enough mental health support in the East African community. He said it is common for parents to turn to praying as a way to solve issues, which can result in suppressed emotions, causing young men to turn to reckless behavior.

Dekama said Oromo Night used to be open to the community, but has been 18 and older since 2023 due to the violence issue. He said the Oromo union is working to combat the issue by educating the community on their history and spreading awareness of their culture.

“Oromo has always had an emphasis on education and culture, and that’s what I really do love about it,” Dekama said. “Because I do value education, I do value tradition, and I love my culture very much.” 

Alexander Hines, director of Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion for the University’s Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Program, said the political climate is divisive and splitting people apart. 

Hines added that, though there have been positive steps taken in combating racism in the U.S., Black people remain fearful, as threats aren’t anything new to them. Hines said the best course of action is for people to seek education and learn history. 

“A lot has changed, but some things haven’t changed, and if people are reading their history, they are fearful, because this is nothing new for a lot of people,” Hines said. 

Hines said he does not want students to lose hope. 

“Don’t give up hope. When you give up hope, that’s when it starts impacting how you navigate your body,” Hines said. “You gotta keep on raising your voice, and that’s what you have your voice and your heart is what matters.”