Several nooses were found Monday hanging from trees on the grounds of the Mississippi State Capitol, authorities said.The discovery, which included five signs, was made between 7:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. on the south side of the Capitol, according to Chuck McIntosh, with the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration.The nooses and signs were removed Monday morning, authorities said. Investigators are checking surveillance video, McIntosh said. "(The signs) vary in their messages, but basically, it's that we need leadership to be responsible or to apologize for the things they say," McIntosh said.Gov. Phil Bryant said he has contacted the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and the FBI for assistance."The perpetrators of this act will be identified and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Bryant said in a statement.Mississippi is preparing for a Tuesday U.S. Senate runoff between Republican U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and Democratic challenger Mike Espy in a race that has increasingly taken on racial overtones.

Several nooses were found Monday hanging from trees on the grounds of the Mississippi State Capitol, authorities said.

The discovery, which included five signs, was made between 7:30 a.m. and 8 a.m. on the south side of the Capitol, according to Chuck McIntosh, with the Mississippi Department of Finance and Administration.


The nooses and signs were removed Monday morning, authorities said. Investigators are checking surveillance video, McIntosh said.

"(The signs) vary in their messages, but basically, it's that we need leadership to be responsible or to apologize for the things they say," McIntosh said.

Gov. Phil Bryant said he has contacted the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and the FBI for assistance.

"The perpetrators of this act will be identified and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Bryant said in a statement.

MDPS One of the signs that was found attached to a tree on the grounds of the Mississippi State Capitol,.

Mississippi is preparing for a Tuesday U.S. Senate runoff between Republican U.S. Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith and Democratic challenger Mike Espy in a race that has increasingly taken on racial overtones.