In 2017, Harvard University held its first Black commencement. Arizona man Nicholas Zuckerman, 24, reportedly threatened to bomb the graduation and shoot students in an attempt to “end their pro-black agenda.”
“If the blacks only ceremony happens, then I encourage violence and death at it. I’m thinking two automatics with extendo clips. Just so no n*gger gets away,” Zuckerman wrote in the comment section of a Harvard Instagram post, according to USA Today.
Zuckerman now faces federal charges over the threats, indicted on two counts of transmitting in interstate and foreign commerce a threat to injure the person of another, according to a statement from the Massachusetts U.S. attorney’s office.
“The charge of transmitting in interstate and foreign commerce a threat to injure the person of another of provides for a sentence of no greater than five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors,” the statement says.
Fortunately, Harvard’s Black commencement went off without a hitch, with grads, friends and family sharing footage of the joyous occasion.
Congratulations to #BlackatHarvard you are all an inspiration to every black child out there.
Tshidiso Ramogale I’m sick proud of u. pic.twitter.com/rMUpESZ5GZ
— Zakhele Nkosi (@Zak_Legend) May 23, 2017
Harvard Black Graduation was lit. All the other ceremonies were super dry in comparison. #blackharvardgrad #blackatharvard pic.twitter.com/noib0MsrvL
— LA (@La_Las_land) May 24, 2018