CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Officials with the DuSable Museum of African American History said they have received six pieces of hate mail since January, and the museum has asked the Secret Service to investigate.
Museum President and CEO Perri Irmer on Tuesday said the first piece of hate mail arrived just days after the inauguration of President Biden.
“And that letter made threats against President Biden, Vice President Harris and others, which, of course, compelled us to reach out to the U.S. Secret Service,” Irmer said.
The museum has received five more letters, presumably from the same sender.
She described the mail, which includes references to funerals and elected officials, as “disturbing stuff.”
Irmer says the museum has received hate mail before. She said in today’s climate, it takes on more significance.
“And especially with our mission to educate all people on true history and the contributions of Black Americans to this nation,” Irmer said.
Chicago Police have increased patrols in the area around Washington Park, she said.
The Secret Service said it “does not confirm the existence or absence of a potentially ongoing investigation.”
Chicago Police did not immediately respond to WBBM Newsradio’s request for comment.
Irmer said she ordered more security around the museum after the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol. She said the mission of the museum — which is named after Chicago’s first non-Native settler — is more important now than ever before.
The institution has been closed to the public since last year but is expected to reopen on Juneteenth — June 19.