Penn State Black Caucus student speaks out against recent Zoom bombing

The Black Caucus said 51 unwanted users ambushed their Zoom event with racist and homophobic slurs, and some exposed themselves in a sexual manner.

• By Addison Albert/WPSU

(State College) — Members of the Penn State Black Caucus are calling for action after the group was “Zoom bombed” during a virtual involvement fair. On Sunday Penn State’s student government signed a resolution condemning the attack.

The Black Caucus said 51 unwanted users ambushed their Zoom event with racist and homophobic slurs, and some exposed themselves in a sexual manner. Black Caucus representative Blake Toliver said it was heartbreaking to many of his fellow classmates.

“Like at first it was a shocked feeling, and then it went to extreme sadness, ya know? I think I was internalizing it all in that moment and then realizing how really messed up that is,” Toliver said.

President Eric Barron put out a statement condemning the attack.

Toliver spoke at the UPUA student government resolution signing event, calling on the university to prosecute the individuals responsible.

Toliver said there should also be a better authentication process for Zoom that’s only open to Penn State email addresses.

“I feel like a Penn State student may not take the risk, even if they are the most evil person in the world. They still, on the other side, are students. So I don’t think they would go as far as that because they would know the repercussions as a student,” Toliver said.

The university has encouraged tightened Zoom security settings.

Penn State University Police are working with the FBI and the Centre County DA’s office, among others, to investigate the Zoom bombing.