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NYU Receives 'Broad Threat of Violence' Against American Schools: Spokesman

 NYU received a threat against American schools.
NYU received a threat against American schools.
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DNAinfo/Andrea Swalec

GREENWICH VILLAGE — New York University received a general threat against American colleges and universities on Wednesday, a school spokesman said.

NYU spokesman John Beckman said the school immediately reported the message, received online, to the NYPD and the FBI.

"NYU received a message via a general 'webform' that carried a broad threat of violence against American colleges and universities," Beckman said. "We are not aware of any specific threat against NYU; we will be working closely with law enforcement and following their guidance on campus safety."

The NYPD said the incident is under investigation.

An FBI spokeswoman urged people "to not let fear become disabling."

"Although we cannot discuss specifics, what we can say is in this day and age, it is easy to spout threats and attempt to spread fear. The FBI and our law enforcement partners are constantly utilizing intelligence and information to assess these types of threats.  As Director Comey has stated, we ask the public to not let fear become disabling," spokeswoman Stephanie Shark wrote in an email.

"If you have any specific or articulable information, please pass it along to law enforcement. And in the meantime, remain aware but unafraid. The more we highlight the threats, the more impact they have."