The FBI is investigating multiple bomb threats allegedly from transgender activists outraged Target is “betraying the LGBTQ+ community” by moving Pride displays to the back of the store.
The threats have reportedly been made at stores in Louisiana, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Utah.
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Stores in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Utah received the following threat, according to USA Today:
Target is full of cowards who turned their back on the LGBT community and decided to cater to the homophobic right wing redneck bigots who protested and vandalized their store.
More threats were reportedly made at seven Oklahoma stores, and at one store, employees told customers they were closed for technical issues, according to News 4.
The threat began, “We are going to play a game…2 of these Target locations have bombs in them. we hid the bombs inside some product items. The bombs will detonate in several hours, guess which ones have the bombs. Time is ticking,” and included information about the Oklahoma City bombing that killed 168.
Police responded to the threats and determined the stores were safe, Target said in a statement.
All stores are “currently open and operating regular hours,” the statement said. “The safety of our team members and guests is our top priority.”
The Washington Post reports stores in Vermont, New Hampshire and New York received the same threat in an email Saturday, saying Target “betrayed the LGBTQ+ community” and “are pathetic cowards who bowed to the wishes of far right extremists who want to exterminate us.”
The FBI “remains vigilant and continues to work closely with our law enforcement partners on a state and local level,” according to a spokesperson.
Target initially moved the Pride merchandise with “tuck-friendly” labels for children after significant backlash, especially in the South.
President Biden told transgender activists over the weekend, “I see more courage on this lawn that I’ve seen in any time in the recent past.”