ARLINGTON, Va. (WJLA) — An alarming and racist message is being sent to some in Virginia, DC and the United States telling people they have been “picked to pick cotton” at a “nearby plantation”.

The messages, which came days after the election, were condemned by the Virginia Attorney General’s Office and the DC Office of the Attorney General (OAG). DC’s OAG told WJLA they are looking further into the messages.

According to the message, the receiver is told that they will need to gather their belongings and report to a location at a certain time so that they can be transported to a plantation. Screenshots of the text messages shared on social media show slight variations in its language and which plantation the receiver will go to. The person is also told they will be searched before being assigned to a plantation “group,” some of the texts read.

Students at Howard University in D.C. appear to have received the messages, a university spokesperson told WJLA.

Corinne Dorsey, a DC resident, received the text message Wednesday afternoon.

“I was surprised at first,” Dorsey said.

Dorsey added that she and others discussed receiving the text messages.

We were a little scared because who would send that message? It was a very mean joke, and we realize that this is definitely happening, not just in DC, but in other areas of the country as well,” she added.

The FBI steps in to investigate after receiving multiple calls and reports.

“The FBI is aware of offensive and racist text messages being sent to individuals across the country and is in contact with the Department of Justice and other federal authorities on this matter. As always, we encourage members of the public to report threats of physical violence. local law enforcement authorities.”

The message came just days after Donald Trump was elected the 47th president, defeating Vice President Kamala Harris.

“For someone to think it was OK to send that message was telling,” Dorsey said. “It was a message meant to attack people who were very hurt by the outcome of the election, unfortunately.”

The (DC) Office of the Attorney General is aware of the racist text messages sent to District residents and condemns them unequivocally,” a DC OAG spokesperson said in a statement to 7News. “Anyone who receives these messages should contact our office for civil rights by calling 202. -727-3400 or emailing [email protected] your safety is at risk, please contact local law enforcement.

Those in Virginia who received the messages are asked to contact their local FBI office at 1-800-225-5324 or submit a tip online, click here.

WJLA reached out to the Maryland attorney general’s office, which said the messages appear to be part of a nationwide campaign targeting people of color, typically targeting high school and college-aged students.

Students in South Carolina, Tennessee and Missouri, along with middle school students in Pennsylvania, reported receiving the message, according to the Associated Press. Some in California, Alabama, New York and Ohio also received the anonymously sent messages, the AP continued.

“These messages are horrible, unacceptable and will not be tolerated. If you were sent one of these texts, please come forward and report it,” Attorney General Brown said in a statement. “I am committed to protecting the rights of all Marylanders. There is no home for hate in Maryland.”

Those in Maryland who received the text messages are asked to submit a complaint to their address Civil Rights Sectionor at Maryland Commission on Hate Crime Response and Prevention.