(NewsNation) — A group of six middle schoolers in Massachusetts are facing criminal charges for racist comments they allegedly made in a group chat.

The group on Snapchat was created overnight from Feb. 8 through Feb. 9 by a group of eighth grade students in the town of Southwick, Massachusetts, according to investigators.

This chat included not only apparent threats but also a mock slave auction where students “bid” on their Black classmates.

One of the students has been charged with interference with civil rights, threatening to commit a crime and witness interference. A second participant has been charged with interference with civil rights and threatening to commit a crime. The remaining four have each been charged with threatening to commit a crime.

Hampden District Attorney Anthony Gulluni defended his decision to charge the middle schoolers on “Dan Abrams Live.”

“One who uses just racist terminology doesn’t necessarily commit a crime — that is constitutionally protected, as vile as it is,” Gulluni said. “This situation involves threats and bullying that amounts to criminal violations in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.”

The two victims were invited to the group chat, so they were exposed to the language used in it, Gulluni pointed out.

“Generally speaking, when one conveys language involving a slave auction purchasing someone uses violent imagery, which was also a part of this chat,” Gulluni said. “And obviously, we have evidence to that effect, and these individuals, the intended targets, who became the victims, were aware of this. We firmly believe that our charges are appropriate and it amounts to a criminal threat.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.