WEBVTT 00:00:13.180 --> 00:00:16.450 >>Welcome to Day Two of the Digital Forum on Prevention. 00:00:16.450 --> 00:00:17.651 My name is John Picarelli. 00:00:17.651 --> 00:00:21.088 I'm the Director of the Center for Prevention Programs 00:00:21.088 --> 00:00:22.923 and Partnerships here at DHS. 00:00:22.923 --> 00:00:25.459 And it's my pleasure to welcome you back. 00:00:25.459 --> 00:00:31.198 As we start here on Day Two it is my pleasure to introduce our 00:00:31.198 --> 00:00:33.734 Acting Assistance Secretary for Counter Terrorism, 00:00:33.734 --> 00:00:35.969 Threat Prevention and Law Enforcement Policy, 00:00:35.969 --> 00:00:38.205 as well as our National Security Counselor 00:00:38.205 --> 00:00:41.241 to the Secretary, Samantha Vinograd, 00:00:41.241 --> 00:00:44.244 who will be providing us some keynote remarks here 00:00:44.244 --> 00:00:48.549 to start Day Two, before we work into our next panel. 00:00:48.549 --> 00:00:52.119 Samantha Vinograd is the Acting Assistant Secretary 00:00:52.119 --> 00:00:54.388 for Counterterrorism and Threat Prevention 00:00:54.388 --> 00:00:56.456 and Senior Counselor for National Security 00:00:56.456 --> 00:00:59.059 here at the Department of Homeland Security. 00:00:59.059 --> 00:01:02.562 She previously was a CNN National Security Analyst, 00:01:02.562 --> 00:01:06.066 a Senior Advisor at the Biden Institute, 00:01:06.066 --> 00:01:07.401 as well as a Visiting Fellow 00:01:07.401 --> 00:01:11.204 at the University of Chicago's Institute for Politics. 00:01:11.204 --> 00:01:13.073 She began her federal career under 00:01:13.073 --> 00:01:16.777 President George W. Bush as the Deputy U.S. 00:01:16.777 --> 00:01:19.179 Treasury Attaché to Iraq. 00:01:19.179 --> 00:01:24.584 She subsequently served on President Barack Obama's 00:01:24.584 --> 00:01:29.122 National Security Council as the Director for Iraq. 00:01:29.122 --> 00:01:32.526 Also as the Director of International Economics and also 00:01:32.526 --> 00:01:37.831 as a Senior Advisor to the National Security Advisors. 00:01:37.831 --> 00:01:40.767 She would later join Goldman Sachs where her work focused on 00:01:40.767 --> 00:01:44.204 building public private sector partnerships across 00:01:44.204 --> 00:01:47.541 a broad range of policy and business issues. 00:01:47.541 --> 00:01:53.847 And she later led a global public policy at Stripe. 00:01:53.847 --> 00:01:58.151 Ms. Vinograd has been deeply engaged in social impact work. 00:01:58.151 --> 00:01:59.586 She has served as an advisor 00:01:59.586 --> 00:02:01.555 to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, 00:02:01.555 --> 00:02:04.291 Save the Children and the Concordia Summit. 00:02:04.291 --> 00:02:06.660 She was a Visiting Fellow at the University of Pennsylvania's 00:02:06.660 --> 00:02:09.196 Wharton Public Policy Institute, 00:02:09.196 --> 00:02:10.397 a David E. Rockefeller 00:02:10.397 --> 00:02:12.399 Fellow at the Trilateral Commission 00:02:12.399 --> 00:02:15.402 and a Millennium Fellow at the Atlanta Council. 00:02:15.402 --> 00:02:19.673 She was also on the Board of the Women's Foreign Policy Group. 00:02:19.673 --> 00:02:22.542 She received her Bachelor in Arts in Asian 00:02:22.542 --> 00:02:23.910 and Middle Eastern Studies 00:02:23.910 --> 00:02:25.612 at the University of Pennsylvania 00:02:25.612 --> 00:02:26.913 and her Master of Arts 00:02:26.913 --> 00:02:30.150 in Security Studies from Georgetown University. 00:02:30.150 --> 00:02:33.086 So again thank you so much for taking time to join us here 00:02:33.086 --> 00:02:35.622 today, Sam, we're looking forward to your remarks. 00:02:35.622 --> 00:02:38.725 And with that I'll turn the floor over to you. 00:02:38.725 --> 00:02:41.728 >>John, thank you so much for that introduction 00:02:41.728 --> 00:02:45.399 and thanks to all who have joined us today. 00:02:45.399 --> 00:02:47.934 I want to start on a bit of a personal note, 00:02:47.934 --> 00:02:50.270 I am mindful that I'm speaking 00:02:50.270 --> 00:02:54.174 with you today on an incredible tragic anniversary. 00:02:54.174 --> 00:02:59.146 We're meeting today three years after 11 members of the 00:02:59.146 --> 00:03:01.948 Tree of Life Synagogue were tragically gunned down 00:03:01.948 --> 00:03:04.751 and several others were wounded. 00:03:04.751 --> 00:03:07.754 I know that discussions over the past several days 00:03:07.754 --> 00:03:11.124 have focused on the roles of faith-based organizations, 00:03:11.124 --> 00:03:12.426 members of the private sector, 00:03:12.426 --> 00:03:13.693 non-governmental partners, 00:03:13.693 --> 00:03:15.896 and, of course, federal, 00:03:15.896 --> 00:03:18.832 state, local, tribal and territorial officials 00:03:18.832 --> 00:03:21.568 as well as we seek to address targeted violence 00:03:21.568 --> 00:03:23.637 and domestic terrorism. 00:03:23.637 --> 00:03:28.608 I am the daughter of a Holocaust survivor and my father taught me 00:03:28.608 --> 00:03:31.878 from a very young age two phrases which many of you may 00:03:31.878 --> 00:03:34.514 or may not be familiar with, which are never forget 00:03:34.514 --> 00:03:35.949 and never again. 00:03:35.949 --> 00:03:39.419 You can never forget how acts of hate can metastasize 00:03:39.419 --> 00:03:41.388 and lead to tragedy 00:03:41.388 --> 00:03:44.758 such that if we never forget we never allow them 00:03:44.758 --> 00:03:47.027 to occur again. 00:03:47.027 --> 00:03:51.498 My father's 92 now and he still uses those phrases, as do I. 00:03:51.498 --> 00:03:53.900 Three years ago we had tragedy unfold 00:03:53.900 --> 00:03:55.569 at the Tree of Life Synagogue 00:03:55.569 --> 00:03:59.773 and as so many of us are aware, far too often 00:03:59.773 --> 00:04:04.010 in our daily lives we receive horrifying alerts 00:04:04.010 --> 00:04:06.413 about additional acts of targeted violence 00:04:06.413 --> 00:04:09.382 and terrorism, whether it be against a Jewish community, 00:04:09.382 --> 00:04:10.817 the APHI community, 00:04:10.817 --> 00:04:13.220 the Muslim community, the immigrant community, 00:04:13.220 --> 00:04:14.855 the Black community, 00:04:14.855 --> 00:04:16.523 the LGBTQ community, 00:04:16.523 --> 00:04:20.460 the list frankly is just too long to go through. 00:04:20.460 --> 00:04:24.264 And that is exactly why as we witness a horrific increase 00:04:24.264 --> 00:04:28.135 in hate crimes as well as more generally horrifying 00:04:28.135 --> 00:04:31.605 and unacceptable increase in domestic terrorism 00:04:31.605 --> 00:04:32.539 here in this country 00:04:32.539 --> 00:04:35.375 and targeted violence, it is so important 00:04:35.375 --> 00:04:39.312 that we all continue our work together. 00:04:39.312 --> 00:04:43.150 And that is just one of the reasons why it is so critical 00:04:43.150 --> 00:04:46.553 that we all are meeting today over the last several days 00:04:46.553 --> 00:04:49.055 and that we continue to do so. 00:04:49.055 --> 00:04:52.826 I want to thank everybody who's here, including the moderators, 00:04:52.826 --> 00:04:56.029 panelists, and, of course, the Asian American Foundation 00:04:56.029 --> 00:04:59.432 for their collaboration on this important event. 00:04:59.432 --> 00:05:01.501 As many of you know and I think as you've heard 00:05:01.501 --> 00:05:03.170 over the past few days 00:05:03.170 --> 00:05:06.506 the DHS mission is to protect the United States 00:05:06.506 --> 00:05:10.110 and to keep our citizens safe. 00:05:10.110 --> 00:05:14.381 DHS knows and views empowering local prevention efforts 00:05:14.381 --> 00:05:16.716 as an integral piece of this mission. 00:05:16.716 --> 00:05:20.086 We know that we alone cannot prevent 00:05:20.086 --> 00:05:22.289 targeted violence and terrorism. 00:05:22.289 --> 00:05:25.425 It is not something that the federal government can do. 00:05:25.425 --> 00:05:30.130 And that's why we are convinced that a whole society approach 00:05:30.130 --> 00:05:33.800 that builds trusted partnerships across all levels of government 00:05:33.800 --> 00:05:37.637 and among a multidisciplinary set of stakeholders is critical. 00:05:37.637 --> 00:05:41.508 We need all of you for information, for expertise, 00:05:41.508 --> 00:05:45.512 for counsel as we work together to address targeted violence 00:05:45.512 --> 00:05:47.180 and terrorism. 00:05:47.180 --> 00:05:48.815 These digital forums on prevention 00:05:48.815 --> 00:05:51.451 are just one demonstration of how government, 00:05:51.451 --> 00:05:53.753 civil society, nonprofits and industry 00:05:53.753 --> 00:05:57.290 can all contribute your diverse perspectives 00:05:57.290 --> 00:05:59.459 and innovative solutions to help address 00:05:59.459 --> 00:06:03.163 the challenge of preventing targeted violence and terrorism. 00:06:03.163 --> 00:06:05.298 Over these two days we are hearing from you, 00:06:05.298 --> 00:06:07.734 the experts and stakeholders in faith-based, 00:06:07.734 --> 00:06:10.737 civil rights and advocacy organizations 00:06:10.737 --> 00:06:13.740 on the important work that all of you are doing every day 00:06:13.740 --> 00:06:16.109 to advance local prevention frameworks, 00:06:16.109 --> 00:06:19.012 protect Americans basic freedoms 00:06:19.012 --> 00:06:21.548 and response to hateful and harmful rhetoric 00:06:21.548 --> 00:06:24.618 that fuels targeted violence and terrorism online 00:06:24.618 --> 00:06:27.654 and in other areas of our society. 00:06:27.654 --> 00:06:32.492 We are 20 years after 9/11 and I decided I wanted to join 00:06:32.492 --> 00:06:36.096 the federal government in the direct aftermath of 9/11 00:06:36.096 --> 00:06:37.397 as I was deeply interested 00:06:37.397 --> 00:06:40.700 in public service related to addressing 00:06:40.700 --> 00:06:43.036 the threat of foreign terrorist organizations. 00:06:43.036 --> 00:06:46.273 Twenty years later I'm sitting here today 00:06:46.273 --> 00:06:49.276 as the Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism, 00:06:49.276 --> 00:06:52.245 deeply aware that since 9/11 00:06:52.245 --> 00:06:56.349 over the last 20 years the terrorism threat has evolved 00:06:56.349 --> 00:06:59.653 and expanded as domestic terrorism 00:06:59.653 --> 00:07:04.591 and related threats have surged or resurged I should say. 00:07:04.591 --> 00:07:07.427 Just in the last few years the United States has experienced 00:07:07.427 --> 00:07:10.163 a significant increase in mass casualty attacks 00:07:10.163 --> 00:07:11.932 targeting houses of worship, 00:07:11.932 --> 00:07:15.035 faith congregants and minority communities. 00:07:15.035 --> 00:07:20.307 We know that these kinds of attacks are nothing new. 00:07:20.307 --> 00:07:22.375 We have seen these kinds of attacks throughout 00:07:22.375 --> 00:07:24.110 our nation's history. 00:07:24.110 --> 00:07:27.647 But over the last few years we have seen an increase, 00:07:27.647 --> 00:07:32.585 resurgence in domestic terrorism attacks fueled by racially 00:07:32.585 --> 00:07:34.788 and ethnically motivated violence extremists, 00:07:34.788 --> 00:07:37.657 in particular, White supremacists extremists 00:07:37.657 --> 00:07:41.227 as well as other forms of domestic violent extremists. 00:07:41.227 --> 00:07:43.596 Such violence goes against the very principles 00:07:43.596 --> 00:07:45.265 and values of this country. 00:07:45.265 --> 00:07:47.934 And addressing targeted violence is also a critically important 00:07:47.934 --> 00:07:51.371 civil rights issue as the domestic threat is mainly 00:07:51.371 --> 00:07:53.473 directed against communities of color 00:07:53.473 --> 00:07:55.542 and often based on their perceived race, 00:07:55.542 --> 00:07:58.111 ethnicity or religion. 00:07:58.111 --> 00:08:01.381 We here at DHS are doing everything we can to equip, 00:08:01.381 --> 00:08:03.383 empower and inform our communities to help 00:08:03.383 --> 00:08:05.785 end those deadly attacks. 00:08:05.785 --> 00:08:07.821 We are working arduously to share 00:08:07.821 --> 00:08:09.389 more information with our state, 00:08:09.389 --> 00:08:11.725 local, tribal and territorial partners, 00:08:11.725 --> 00:08:13.360 including through the National Terrorism 00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:16.496 Advisory System Bulletin and other mechanisms. 00:08:16.496 --> 00:08:21.501 I will ask on that note that all of you that receive information 00:08:21.501 --> 00:08:23.169 from DHS that you share with us, 00:08:23.169 --> 00:08:24.404 that you share with my colleague, 00:08:24.404 --> 00:08:27.540 John Picarelli and other members of the DHS team 00:08:27.540 --> 00:08:32.212 what information gaps you have and what else may be useful. 00:08:32.212 --> 00:08:34.280 We are concurrently working to enhance 00:08:34.280 --> 00:08:35.782 our understanding of the threat 00:08:35.782 --> 00:08:38.518 through the creation of a dedicated analytical team 00:08:38.518 --> 00:08:41.087 examining the domestic terrorism threat. 00:08:41.087 --> 00:08:44.891 Sound timely intelligence is critical to sound 00:08:44.891 --> 00:08:47.560 and timely policy making. 00:08:47.560 --> 00:08:50.897 And that is exactly why under my colleague John Cohen's 00:08:50.897 --> 00:08:53.900 leadership the Intelligence and Analysis Branch of the 00:08:53.900 --> 00:08:55.635 Department of Homeland Security now 00:08:55.635 --> 00:09:00.240 has a Domestic Terrorism Branch. 00:09:00.240 --> 00:09:03.610 With all that in mind, above all else, 00:09:03.610 --> 00:09:06.079 we recognize the need to do everything 00:09:06.079 --> 00:09:09.416 we can to prevent these acts where they happen. 00:09:09.416 --> 00:09:12.719 And that is exactly why as we work to improve 00:09:12.719 --> 00:09:14.320 our intelligence gathering 00:09:14.320 --> 00:09:16.256 and analysis as well as our information 00:09:16.256 --> 00:09:17.824 sharing the Secretary 00:09:17.824 --> 00:09:20.260 has asked us to really double down 00:09:20.260 --> 00:09:23.496 on earlier stage prevention efforts, 00:09:23.496 --> 00:09:26.065 efforts that are really focused on 00:09:26.065 --> 00:09:28.168 trying to prevent acts of targeted violence 00:09:28.168 --> 00:09:30.537 and terrorism at the earliest stage 00:09:30.537 --> 00:09:33.740 possible when individuals see someone 00:09:33.740 --> 00:09:35.842 in their community potentially radicalizing 00:09:35.842 --> 00:09:39.479 or mobilizing to violence. 00:09:39.479 --> 00:09:42.582 In that regard, earlier this year Secretary Mayorkas 00:09:42.582 --> 00:09:44.951 created the Center for Prevention Programs 00:09:44.951 --> 00:09:47.187 and Partnerships to work with our state 00:09:47.187 --> 00:09:49.355 and local partners and to empower their efforts 00:09:49.355 --> 00:09:51.825 to prevent targeted violence and terrorism. 00:09:51.825 --> 00:09:55.295 We affectionately call the Center for Prevention Programs 00:09:55.295 --> 00:09:57.497 and Partnerships CP3. 00:09:57.497 --> 00:10:00.500 CP3 uses public health approaches that bring together 00:10:00.500 --> 00:10:04.170 multidisciplinary teams at the local level that can get help 00:10:04.170 --> 00:10:09.509 to individuals who may be on the pathway to violence. 00:10:09.509 --> 00:10:12.212 Through CP3 we aim to build trust across 00:10:12.212 --> 00:10:14.047 all local communities 00:10:14.047 --> 00:10:16.683 while investing in community based violence prevention 00:10:16.683 --> 00:10:19.919 and intervention programs that are specifically 00:10:19.919 --> 00:10:22.689 tailored to specific communities. 00:10:22.689 --> 00:10:25.425 The goal is to ensure that we are holistically addressing 00:10:25.425 --> 00:10:26.960 the security of our faith communities, 00:10:26.960 --> 00:10:30.730 our houses of worship, and our neighborhoods overall. 00:10:30.730 --> 00:10:33.833 Successful local prevention efforts require significant 00:10:33.833 --> 00:10:37.103 and continued stakeholder engagement with state, 00:10:37.103 --> 00:10:38.571 local and local officials, 00:10:38.571 --> 00:10:41.174 community leaders, civil society organizations 00:10:41.174 --> 00:10:43.810 and services, all to build transparent 00:10:43.810 --> 00:10:47.380 and trusted relationships across a whole society. 00:10:47.380 --> 00:10:50.483 That is why I'm so grateful to see so many organizations 00:10:50.483 --> 00:10:52.952 joining us today for the digital forum. 00:10:52.952 --> 00:10:57.423 It is you working together that has the best chance to prevent 00:10:57.423 --> 00:11:01.561 the next incident of targeted violence or terrorism. 00:11:01.561 --> 00:11:04.264 I will pledge to you that DHS will continue 00:11:04.264 --> 00:11:05.598 to provide financial, 00:11:05.598 --> 00:11:07.700 technical and educational assistance 00:11:07.700 --> 00:11:09.135 wherever it is needed. 00:11:09.135 --> 00:11:10.803 And we also welcome and recognize 00:11:10.803 --> 00:11:13.239 the continued hard work of all the organizations 00:11:13.239 --> 00:11:15.141 participating in the forum. 00:11:15.141 --> 00:11:19.145 Please, please, continue to contact us 00:11:19.145 --> 00:11:21.548 to share feedback with us, 00:11:21.548 --> 00:11:24.183 to engage in information sharing with us, 00:11:24.183 --> 00:11:28.054 such that we have two way lines of communication that enables us 00:11:28.054 --> 00:11:30.423 all to keep our communities safer. 00:11:30.423 --> 00:11:32.091 Thank you again for the opportunity 00:11:32.091 --> 00:11:33.459 to speak to you today 00:11:33.459 --> 00:11:36.329 and for joining us in this digital forum on prevention. 00:11:36.329 --> 00:11:39.699 I'm looking forward to the conversations ahead 00:11:39.699 --> 00:11:42.569 and the continued work that we can do together in the future. 00:11:42.569 --> 00:11:44.837 Thank you. 00:11:44.837 --> 00:11:48.241 >>Thank you so much Sam, and again thank you for your time 00:11:48.241 --> 00:11:49.876 and your leadership in this space. 00:11:49.876 --> 00:11:52.345 We really do appreciate it. 00:11:52.345 --> 00:11:55.481 I'm going to now turn it over to my colleague Hal First 00:11:55.481 --> 00:11:57.550 [phonetic] who will introduce our first panel 00:11:57.550 --> 00:11:58.785 and I look forward to joining you 00:11:58.785 --> 00:12:01.888 again later this afternoon on our second panel. 00:12:01.888 --> 00:12:03.189 Thank you. 00:12:04.991 --> 00:12:08.027 >>Thanks, John and thank you Sam for those important words 00:12:08.027 --> 00:12:11.698 and for setting the tone I think for the rest of the day 00:12:11.698 --> 00:12:13.733 and the important conversations that we're going to have. 00:12:13.733 --> 00:12:15.401 Thank you to you both. 00:12:15.401 --> 00:12:18.071 I want to welcome you now to our third panel 00:12:18.071 --> 00:12:19.606 on our second day of a Digital Forum 00:12:19.606 --> 00:12:23.910 on Prevention on the Role of Faith-Based Organizations 00:12:23.910 --> 00:12:26.312 in Supporting Violence Prevention. 00:12:26.312 --> 00:12:28.214 This panel's going to discuss the important role 00:12:28.214 --> 00:12:31.284 that faith-based organizations play in the whole of society, 00:12:31.284 --> 00:12:33.886 public health approach to violence prevention, 00:12:33.886 --> 00:12:35.555 including how they can effectively partner 00:12:35.555 --> 00:12:37.657 with local and national stakeholders. 00:12:37.657 --> 00:12:40.893 And panelists will speak to their specific perspectives on 00:12:40.893 --> 00:12:43.496 how their organizations are doing this work 00:12:43.496 --> 00:12:46.265 and the challenges they face in this process, 00:12:46.265 --> 00:12:48.267 especially balancing openness to the public 00:12:48.267 --> 00:12:50.737 and the safety of their houses of worship. 00:12:50.737 --> 00:12:53.106 With that I am pleased to turn it over to our moderator, 00:12:53.106 --> 00:12:54.507 Marcus T. Coleman, 00:12:54.507 --> 00:12:56.576 Director of the DHS Center for Faith-Based 00:12:56.576 --> 00:12:58.811 and Neighborhood Partnerships. Marcus? 00:13:02.215 --> 00:13:06.386 >> Hello, everyone and thank you very much for having me today. 00:13:06.386 --> 00:13:10.690 I'm very excited to join our partners DHS 00:13:10.690 --> 00:13:12.725 for this important digital forum 00:13:12.725 --> 00:13:15.328 and thankful for the opening remarks 00:13:15.328 --> 00:13:17.597 from our Assistant Secretary today. 00:13:17.597 --> 00:13:20.633 I know we have a number of people on the call that are 00:13:20.633 --> 00:13:25.071 seeking information to take back to their faith-based 00:13:25.071 --> 00:13:26.939 and community-based organizations 00:13:26.939 --> 00:13:29.876 in terms of what we can do to help continue 00:13:29.876 --> 00:13:33.479 to build community and address acts of targeted 00:13:33.479 --> 00:13:36.482 violence proactively to mitigate that. 00:13:36.482 --> 00:13:40.119 We have a wonderful multi-faith panel today 00:13:40.119 --> 00:13:41.654 and what I appreciate about the panel 00:13:41.654 --> 00:13:43.523 and the folks that you're going to hear from 00:13:43.523 --> 00:13:45.992 is while they represent the faith-based community 00:13:45.992 --> 00:13:49.429 in different aspects they are all very close partners 00:13:49.429 --> 00:13:51.164 with government as well. 00:13:51.164 --> 00:13:53.332 And so what we'll do is we're going to have 00:13:53.332 --> 00:13:55.334 a quickly round of introductions, 00:13:55.334 --> 00:13:59.105 we're going to get into a series of questions 00:13:59.105 --> 00:14:02.675 and again every person that's been on a panel in some form 00:14:02.675 --> 00:14:06.045 or fashion has some practical and actionable guidance for you. 00:14:06.045 --> 00:14:09.182 So we'll do introductions, we'll do some questions 00:14:09.182 --> 00:14:11.984 that will be the moderator discussion 00:14:11.984 --> 00:14:13.853 and then we'll open it up to Q&A. 00:14:13.853 --> 00:14:18.491 If you have questions, please feel free to drop those 00:14:18.491 --> 00:14:20.727 in the chat if you're able. 00:14:20.727 --> 00:14:23.029 And we'll be sure to try to capture and incorporate 00:14:23.029 --> 00:14:25.264 those into the moderated session. 00:14:25.264 --> 00:14:27.266 So what that let's get into the introductions. 00:14:27.266 --> 00:14:30.670 And so we have a few folks and then as I call you up 00:14:30.670 --> 00:14:32.605 if you can just come off the camera, 00:14:32.605 --> 00:14:34.640 say hello, talk a little bit about yourself. 00:14:34.640 --> 00:14:38.711 So the first person we have is Michael Masters who serves 00:14:38.711 --> 00:14:42.215 as the National Director for Secure Community Network. 00:14:42.215 --> 00:14:44.150 Michael, good afternoon. 00:14:44.150 --> 00:14:45.785 How are you, sir? 00:14:45.785 --> 00:14:48.654 >>I'm well, Marcus. Thank you for having me. 00:14:48.654 --> 00:14:51.090 As you mentioned I'm the CEO and National Director for the 00:14:51.090 --> 00:14:55.495 Secure Community Network and pleasure to be here. 00:14:55.495 --> 00:14:57.463 Would you like me to speak a few minutes about the organization 00:14:57.463 --> 00:14:58.598 or roll through? 00:14:58.598 --> 00:15:00.299 >>Let's get the other introductions in 00:15:00.299 --> 00:15:01.400 and then we'll have, 00:15:01.400 --> 00:15:02.568 we'll come back to you Michael to provide 00:15:02.568 --> 00:15:04.537 a bit of about the organization as well. 00:15:04.537 --> 00:15:06.172 Thank you, sir. 00:15:06.172 --> 00:15:07.273 Alright. 00:15:07.273 --> 00:15:10.309 And then in addition to Michael we have Kiran Gil, 00:15:10.309 --> 00:15:12.378 Director for the Sikh American Legal Defense 00:15:12.378 --> 00:15:13.679 and Education Fund. 00:15:13.679 --> 00:15:15.314 Kiran, how are you? 00:15:15.314 --> 00:15:16.649 >>Doing well. Doing well. 00:15:16.649 --> 00:15:18.618 Thank you for having me here today. 00:15:18.618 --> 00:15:20.286 >>Absolutely. Thank you very much, Kiran. 00:15:20.286 --> 00:15:22.989 And then have Salam Al-Marayati, 00:15:22.989 --> 00:15:25.491 President for the Muslim Public Affairs Council. 00:15:25.491 --> 00:15:27.827 Salam, how are you, sir? 00:15:27.827 --> 00:15:29.562 >>I'm doing very well thank you. 00:15:29.562 --> 00:15:33.966 Unfortunately I was in a biking accident so I'm going to 00:15:33.966 --> 00:15:36.736 stay off camera for the presentation, 00:15:36.736 --> 00:15:41.407 but I want to keep my commitment to participate with all of you. 00:15:41.407 --> 00:15:44.043 It's a very important conversation. 00:15:44.043 --> 00:15:46.646 >>Absolutely. I'm sorry to hear about the accident. 00:15:46.646 --> 00:15:50.850 Hoping that you are healing well and will continue to send 00:15:50.850 --> 00:15:53.719 good energy your way and hopefully you recover soon. 00:15:53.719 --> 00:15:56.022 And thank you for taking time out of the schedule 00:15:56.022 --> 00:15:58.157 to still join us as well. 00:15:58.157 --> 00:16:00.860 And then we also have Todd Richins, 00:16:00.860 --> 00:16:02.328 Deputy Field Operations Director 00:16:02.328 --> 00:16:04.964 for the Church of Latter-day Saints Security. 00:16:04.964 --> 00:16:06.399 Todd, how are you? 00:16:06.399 --> 00:16:09.101 >>Doing good, Marcus, thanks for having me. 00:16:09.101 --> 00:16:10.369 >>Awesome. Thank you very much, 00:16:10.369 --> 00:16:12.772 Todd, and grateful to have you be able 00:16:12.772 --> 00:16:14.307 to reconnect here. 00:16:14.307 --> 00:16:17.210 And then the last person that's on the panel 00:16:17.210 --> 00:16:19.512 is Reverend John Marshall Mein. 00:16:19.512 --> 00:16:21.514 So you hear Reverend in his name, but I'm going to let him 00:16:21.514 --> 00:16:24.650 give the title of his organization. 00:16:24.650 --> 00:16:27.486 >>Thanks, Marcus, and thanks so much for having us all on today. 00:16:27.486 --> 00:16:29.088 My name is John Mein. 00:16:29.088 --> 00:16:30.656 I serve as the Bureau Chief of Intelligence 00:16:30.656 --> 00:16:33.292 and Threat Assessment at the D.C. Fusion Center, 00:16:33.292 --> 00:16:35.962 located at D.C. Emergency Management 00:16:35.962 --> 00:16:38.998 and Homeland Security here in Washington, D.C. 00:16:38.998 --> 00:16:40.633 Thanks again for having us. 00:16:40.633 --> 00:16:42.301 >>Absolutely. 00:16:42.301 --> 00:16:45.872 So with that, so I think we'll ... 00:16:45.872 --> 00:16:49.408 so that's the panel that you'll hear from today. 00:16:49.408 --> 00:16:52.011 Now we'll get into some questions. 00:16:52.011 --> 00:16:54.947 And the first question is, and this is going back to, 00:16:54.947 --> 00:16:56.349 Michael, we'll start with you, 00:16:56.349 --> 00:16:57.683 yeah, if you can give a little bit about 00:16:57.683 --> 00:16:59.452 what your organization does. 00:16:59.452 --> 00:17:01.287 And for audiences that are listening 00:17:01.287 --> 00:17:02.555 as you're giving the organization, 00:17:02.555 --> 00:17:04.724 what are ways that organizations can partner 00:17:04.724 --> 00:17:07.493 with the Secure Communities Network? 00:17:07.493 --> 00:17:09.095 >>Great. So thanks Marcus 00:17:09.095 --> 00:17:11.464 and I just want to, one of the things 00:17:11.464 --> 00:17:13.466 that's a testament to a panel like this, 00:17:13.466 --> 00:17:15.234 a forum, is that most of us 00:17:15.234 --> 00:17:17.637 who are on this panel have spent years working 00:17:17.637 --> 00:17:20.373 with one another on these issues 00:17:20.373 --> 00:17:24.043 and many times convened by DHS and our partners in government, 00:17:24.043 --> 00:17:25.244 other times on our own. 00:17:25.244 --> 00:17:26.913 And I think it goes to the testament of the 00:17:26.913 --> 00:17:31.984 interconnectivity and how we work well with one another. 00:17:31.984 --> 00:17:34.120 Certainly as the Assistant Secretary mentioned 00:17:34.120 --> 00:17:35.755 that's heavy on my mind today 00:17:35.755 --> 00:17:40.293 as we are three years from the attack in Pittsburgh. 00:17:40.293 --> 00:17:43.062 And you know I would point out with that having stood in that 00:17:43.062 --> 00:17:48.167 synagogue several times that attack 00:17:48.167 --> 00:17:51.237 has left that building to this day empty. 00:17:51.237 --> 00:17:54.206 It remains not in use. 00:17:54.206 --> 00:17:56.442 And I think one of the things that I think 00:17:56.442 --> 00:17:57.410 we all are committed to 00:17:57.410 --> 00:18:00.513 and need to think about is not just preparedness 00:18:00.513 --> 00:18:04.617 and protection, but resiliency and how do we ensure that 00:18:04.617 --> 00:18:07.420 we can create safe houses of worship, 00:18:07.420 --> 00:18:09.622 safe centers of our community that are open 00:18:09.622 --> 00:18:11.457 and accessible while being safe 00:18:11.457 --> 00:18:16.162 and secure to allow in my case Jewish life, 00:18:16.162 --> 00:18:19.131 but in our cases for the forum the faith-based life 00:18:19.131 --> 00:18:20.733 in this country to continue 00:18:20.733 --> 00:18:22.001 and so that people are comfortable 00:18:22.001 --> 00:18:25.438 walking into a synagogue or a gird ware 00:18:25.438 --> 00:18:29.442 [phonetic], a church, a mosque, wherever they are. 00:18:29.442 --> 00:18:31.577 And I think what we've realized is that an attack 00:18:31.577 --> 00:18:34.080 on any one of us is an attack on all of us. 00:18:34.080 --> 00:18:36.849 So one of the things that we work very hard to do 00:18:36.849 --> 00:18:38.050 at the Secure Community Network 00:18:38.050 --> 00:18:40.386 is focus on the Jewish community. 00:18:40.386 --> 00:18:42.455 We know that the threat level is both complex 00:18:42.455 --> 00:18:45.024 and dynamic towards the whole faith-based community, 00:18:45.024 --> 00:18:49.395 but certainly for us we have seen 00:18:49.395 --> 00:18:52.064 an increase in anti-Semitic incidence and vandalism 00:18:52.064 --> 00:18:55.801 and physical assault typified by what happened in Pittsburgh 00:18:55.801 --> 00:18:57.970 and then six months to the day in Poway [phonetic], 00:18:57.970 --> 00:18:59.271 Jersey City, Monessen [phonetic]. 00:18:59.271 --> 00:19:01.207 Unfortunately while the pandemic has closed 00:19:01.207 --> 00:19:02.742 many of our institutions 00:19:02.742 --> 00:19:06.479 we continue to see increases in online hate 00:19:06.479 --> 00:19:07.713 and vindictiveness 00:19:07.713 --> 00:19:10.182 and anti-Semitism that cause particular concern 00:19:10.182 --> 00:19:11.751 as our institutions open up. 00:19:11.751 --> 00:19:14.520 So we focus on intelligence and information sharing. 00:19:14.520 --> 00:19:17.356 We focus on physical security and assessments. 00:19:17.356 --> 00:19:19.658 We focus on training and exercise. 00:19:19.658 --> 00:19:21.861 We focus on incident response. 00:19:21.861 --> 00:19:24.897 Developing best practice standards in each of those areas 00:19:24.897 --> 00:19:27.066 so that we can ensure whether someone's walking into 00:19:27.066 --> 00:19:30.836 a community center in Hartford, Connecticut 00:19:30.836 --> 00:19:33.806 or in a community center in San Francisco 00:19:33.806 --> 00:19:36.075 that the training they're receiving is standardized 00:19:36.075 --> 00:19:38.377 and best practice across the board 00:19:38.377 --> 00:19:40.079 that we're sharing intelligence. 00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:43.049 As the Assistant Secretary mentioned bad actors 00:19:43.049 --> 00:19:45.217 often travel faster than our intelligence, 00:19:45.217 --> 00:19:47.486 so that means we need to work together. 00:19:47.486 --> 00:19:50.256 We do that with partners both in the government space, 00:19:50.256 --> 00:19:52.124 local, state and federal. 00:19:52.124 --> 00:19:54.560 Law enforcement also are partners like the ADL 00:19:54.560 --> 00:19:57.029 and across the Jewish community 00:19:57.029 --> 00:19:58.697 so that we are breaking down silos 00:19:58.697 --> 00:20:00.166 and creating safe spaces. 00:20:00.166 --> 00:20:03.636 And I'll leave it at that, but we are a phone call away. 00:20:03.636 --> 00:20:07.473 And one of the things that I know is that when our community 00:20:07.473 --> 00:20:11.210 has been attacked almost all of the other panelists 00:20:11.210 --> 00:20:12.845 have reached out to us as a community 00:20:12.845 --> 00:20:15.247 and we'd like to think that we've done, 00:20:15.247 --> 00:20:18.150 tried to be responsive and proactive in doing the same, 00:20:18.150 --> 00:20:19.885 whether it was in Oak Creek, Wisconsin 00:20:19.885 --> 00:20:23.889 or when the Muslim community has come under attack. 00:20:23.889 --> 00:20:25.958 And Salam and I have been in contact. 00:20:25.958 --> 00:20:29.462 So we will I think in the best American tradition 00:20:29.462 --> 00:20:32.431 get through this by coming together. 00:20:32.431 --> 00:20:34.200 >>Thank you very much. 00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:36.902 And I'm going to love on him a little bit more, 00:20:36.902 --> 00:20:37.837 because I remember him 00:20:37.837 --> 00:20:40.606 in his prior role as a County Emergency Manager 00:20:40.606 --> 00:20:43.676 and has been committed for years at the county, 00:20:43.676 --> 00:20:45.478 state and in this new capacity 00:20:45.478 --> 00:20:47.179 to engage in faith communities here. 00:20:47.179 --> 00:20:50.349 So thank you and to your point hearts continue to go with those 00:20:50.349 --> 00:20:53.686 who are mourning yet another unfortunate anniversary 00:20:53.686 --> 00:20:57.857 due to loss of life as a result of an active targeted violence. 00:20:57.857 --> 00:20:59.225 Kiran over to you. 00:20:59.225 --> 00:21:01.861 So would love to hear more about your organization 00:21:01.861 --> 00:21:03.462 and some specific ways 00:21:03.462 --> 00:21:05.698 that organizations can partner with the 00:21:05.698 --> 00:21:08.534 Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund. 00:21:08.534 --> 00:21:09.935 >>Sure. Absolutely. 00:21:09.935 --> 00:21:12.238 Thank you so much for having me here today. 00:21:12.238 --> 00:21:14.607 I am the Executive Director at SALDEF, 00:21:14.607 --> 00:21:15.875 the Sikh American Legal Defense 00:21:15.875 --> 00:21:18.611 and Education Fund out of Washington, D.C. 00:21:18.611 --> 00:21:22.882 We are actually celebrating our 25th anniversary this year. 00:21:22.882 --> 00:21:24.550 So we were one of the first national 00:21:24.550 --> 00:21:26.585 SIKH American advocacy organizations. 00:21:26.585 --> 00:21:29.655 Our focus is on civil rights and religious freedoms not just for 00:21:29.655 --> 00:21:32.758 our community but as Michael mentioned we work in partnership 00:21:32.758 --> 00:21:36.395 with many other faith-based communities as well. 00:21:36.395 --> 00:21:43.836 I actually came to SALDEF, my time at SALDEF was from the 00:21:43.836 --> 00:21:45.237 Executive Director was preceded 00:21:45.237 --> 00:21:48.040 by my volunteer experience at SALDEF. 00:21:48.040 --> 00:21:52.278 The Sikh community faced a significant backlash 00:21:52.278 --> 00:21:54.813 in terms of hate crimes post 9/11. 00:21:54.813 --> 00:21:59.785 And I think what we found as a community there was two issues. 00:21:59.785 --> 00:22:02.087 One obviously the hate that was directed 00:22:02.087 --> 00:22:03.722 or misdirected at the community, 00:22:03.722 --> 00:22:08.727 but more largely people not understanding who our community, 00:22:08.727 --> 00:22:09.962 you know, the articles of faith, 00:22:09.962 --> 00:22:12.031 what they stand for, who we are. 00:22:12.031 --> 00:22:18.070 So I think as a community we faced two I guess issues 00:22:18.070 --> 00:22:19.505 that we had to combat. 00:22:19.505 --> 00:22:21.974 One was general education about our community, 00:22:21.974 --> 00:22:24.777 and this included community members having issues, 00:22:24.777 --> 00:22:26.779 for example, with going through 00:22:26.779 --> 00:22:28.681 TSA, the racial profiling 00:22:28.681 --> 00:22:31.784 or, you know, post 9/11 there was a Sikh 00:22:31.784 --> 00:22:34.220 share thing that was taken off a train, 00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:36.589 part of the see something, say something. 00:22:36.589 --> 00:22:37.923 But people didn't know what they were seeing 00:22:37.923 --> 00:22:40.159 and said something that was incorrect. 00:22:40.159 --> 00:22:43.996 And unfortunately we saw that effect 00:22:43.996 --> 00:22:46.699 our community more largely. 00:22:46.699 --> 00:22:50.669 So SALDEF has been committed for the past 25 years 00:22:50.669 --> 00:22:54.340 to education on SIKH awareness. 00:22:54.340 --> 00:22:58.844 We have partnered with a number of different federal agencies, 00:22:58.844 --> 00:23:03.282 TSA, FBI, DHS, DOJ, and we've done a lot of programming 00:23:03.282 --> 00:23:04.483 around know your rights. 00:23:04.483 --> 00:23:07.653 So ensuring that our community gets to know federal 00:23:07.653 --> 00:23:09.154 and state partners 00:23:09.154 --> 00:23:12.157 and understand what the issues are, 00:23:12.157 --> 00:23:13.492 you know, what are some of the resources 00:23:13.492 --> 00:23:15.828 that can be provided and the federal agencies 00:23:15.828 --> 00:23:18.631 can understand what issues our community is facing, 00:23:18.631 --> 00:23:19.732 what we're seeing. 00:23:19.732 --> 00:23:22.668 And I think that partnership has been going well. 00:23:22.668 --> 00:23:25.838 I know there has been certainly a difference in the way 00:23:25.838 --> 00:23:30.009 that our community's been treated, for example, by TSA. 00:23:30.009 --> 00:23:33.345 There's been more understanding with law enforcement 00:23:33.345 --> 00:23:35.214 in terms of our articles of faith. 00:23:35.214 --> 00:23:39.418 SALDEF actually started our law enforcement partnership program 00:23:39.418 --> 00:23:40.953 several years back. 00:23:40.953 --> 00:23:45.257 I think it was over a decade ago when we had a Sikh American 00:23:45.257 --> 00:23:46.925 who called because of a break in 00:23:46.925 --> 00:23:51.897 and was actually then taken in to the Department 00:23:51.897 --> 00:23:53.332 because of an article of faith, 00:23:53.332 --> 00:23:54.667 the Girbon [phonetic]. 00:23:54.667 --> 00:23:56.735 So a misunderstanding of who we are. 00:23:56.735 --> 00:23:59.505 Obviously there is issues around the turban, 00:23:59.505 --> 00:24:01.874 what that means and I think that 00:24:01.874 --> 00:24:05.911 it's important for again that education piece to be there. 00:24:05.911 --> 00:24:08.681 But the second part again is building that partnership 00:24:08.681 --> 00:24:13.585 and having the experience with the community 00:24:13.585 --> 00:24:15.654 for the community members to understand. 00:24:15.654 --> 00:24:17.022 So again through our know your rights forums, 00:24:17.022 --> 00:24:19.258 through our community partnerships 00:24:19.258 --> 00:24:22.394 and our faith partnerships we've explored 00:24:22.394 --> 00:24:25.364 really taking that message to the community, 00:24:25.364 --> 00:24:27.032 having them build trust in the partnerships, 00:24:27.032 --> 00:24:30.703 but also having them change their mindset. 00:24:30.703 --> 00:24:32.404 You know, as a community, and I think all of our 00:24:32.404 --> 00:24:36.542 faith communities we are taught to be open, 00:24:36.542 --> 00:24:38.877 accepting our houses of worship, 00:24:38.877 --> 00:24:40.746 particularly for the Sikh community 00:24:40.746 --> 00:24:44.249 we proud ourselves on inviting everyone in. 00:24:44.249 --> 00:24:47.586 We serve lunger [phonetic] free meal to anyone that, you know, 00:24:47.586 --> 00:24:52.925 comes regardless of your faith, your background, your ethnicity. 00:24:52.925 --> 00:24:56.528 So I think just kind of trying to marry that 00:24:56.528 --> 00:24:58.530 and have people understand that, 00:24:58.530 --> 00:25:01.033 yeah, you do have to be vigilant; 00:25:01.033 --> 00:25:02.368 trainings are necessary. 00:25:02.368 --> 00:25:04.903 Unfortunately, we do need to look at prevention 00:25:04.903 --> 00:25:08.173 and not everybody that enters a house of worship 00:25:08.173 --> 00:25:09.408 is doing it because 00:25:09.408 --> 00:25:13.312 they're coming there for the same reasons that we're there 00:25:13.312 --> 00:25:18.717 and we hope that everyone comes in and joins our service. 00:25:18.717 --> 00:25:22.654 So I think those are some things that 00:25:22.654 --> 00:25:24.957 as a community we've looked at 00:25:24.957 --> 00:25:26.892 and I think those are some challenges again 00:25:26.892 --> 00:25:30.229 that we face really in terms of changing the mindset 00:25:30.229 --> 00:25:33.732 and having people be more proactive in our community. 00:25:33.732 --> 00:25:38.303 I will say that I was involved with the aftermath at Oak Creek. 00:25:38.303 --> 00:25:43.675 Our community does, that is an active growth ware [phonetic] 00:25:43.675 --> 00:25:45.878 so we do have people going in and out. 00:25:45.878 --> 00:25:49.281 But there has been a lot of partnership with other faith 00:25:49.281 --> 00:25:51.950 communities in the area and understanding 00:25:51.950 --> 00:25:54.019 if there's a threat in one community 00:25:54.019 --> 00:25:55.854 or one house of worship. 00:25:55.854 --> 00:25:59.224 There has been a system where that gets communicated 00:25:59.224 --> 00:26:02.261 back to local law enforcement, to the FBI. 00:26:02.261 --> 00:26:04.496 And so that I think is really important that we, 00:26:04.496 --> 00:26:06.231 obviously there's threats 00:26:06.231 --> 00:26:08.567 against all of our communities unfortunately 00:26:08.567 --> 00:26:10.436 but making sure that we have that information 00:26:10.436 --> 00:26:12.938 that's going back to partners 00:26:12.938 --> 00:26:15.774 and to those in the law enforcement community 00:26:15.774 --> 00:26:16.975 so that they can track it 00:26:16.975 --> 00:26:18.811 I think is certainly one way that we can work 00:26:18.811 --> 00:26:22.448 together collaboratively for prevention. 00:26:22.448 --> 00:26:23.549 >>Thank you very much. 00:26:23.549 --> 00:26:26.552 One of the common themes that I'm starting to hear 00:26:26.552 --> 00:26:29.188 and I'm sure we'll continue to pick up with, 00:26:29.188 --> 00:26:30.756 so, one, resilience and, 00:26:30.756 --> 00:26:35.260 two, the power of relationships and social connection both with 00:26:35.260 --> 00:26:38.564 government, but then also in between communities as well. 00:26:38.564 --> 00:26:42.634 I appreciate you Kiran laying out some examples specifically 00:26:42.634 --> 00:26:45.103 in communities that have been impacted also. 00:26:45.103 --> 00:26:50.742 Let's go over to Salam for a Muslim Public Affairs Council. 00:26:50.742 --> 00:26:54.279 So we'd love to hear more about the organization 00:26:54.279 --> 00:26:56.415 and ways that some of the people 00:26:56.415 --> 00:26:58.550 on the call today can work with the 00:26:58.550 --> 00:27:01.019 Muslim Public Affairs Council to prevent 00:27:01.019 --> 00:27:02.955 acts of targeted violence. 00:27:02.955 --> 00:27:06.859 >>Thank you. Thank you very much, Marcus. 00:27:06.859 --> 00:27:11.263 I just wanted to underscore the interconnectivity point 00:27:11.263 --> 00:27:15.000 Michael Masters and I and I think John Picarelli 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:18.003 and others were at Pittsburgh 00:27:18.003 --> 00:27:24.109 last week for the Anti-hate Global Summit. 00:27:24.109 --> 00:27:27.713 And we were commemorating the attack on the Tree of Life. 00:27:27.713 --> 00:27:34.853 And the underpinning of that attack was the conspiracy theory 00:27:34.853 --> 00:27:39.291 that Jews were financing Muslims to come across 00:27:39.291 --> 00:27:43.562 the Southern borders to kill Christians. 00:27:43.562 --> 00:27:48.500 And I think that in too many incidents we find 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:51.737 that the attack is against one community 00:27:51.737 --> 00:27:56.008 but the narrative is about all of us. 00:27:56.008 --> 00:28:03.081 The attack on the Oak Creek Sikh Temple was done because 00:28:03.081 --> 00:28:07.319 it was thought of as an attack against Muslims. 00:28:07.319 --> 00:28:09.655 So the person didn't know the distinction between 00:28:09.655 --> 00:28:14.560 Sikhs and Muslims, yet that was the narrative. 00:28:14.560 --> 00:28:17.629 So we are in this together. 00:28:17.629 --> 00:28:20.299 And the way we work as a Muslim Public Affairs Council, 00:28:20.299 --> 00:28:22.734 we work with our partners in government, 00:28:22.734 --> 00:28:24.670 our partners in law enforcement, 00:28:24.670 --> 00:28:28.540 but really it comes down to working with civil society 00:28:28.540 --> 00:28:34.146 and the partnership between and among all of our organizations. 00:28:34.146 --> 00:28:38.617 We are partners and protectors for one another. 00:28:38.617 --> 00:28:42.521 I was part of a task force under the Department of Homeland 00:28:42.521 --> 00:28:46.525 Security looking at these incidents. 00:28:46.525 --> 00:28:51.263 We visited Poway and the synagogue there 00:28:51.263 --> 00:28:53.732 and found that the person 00:28:53.732 --> 00:28:56.868 who attacked the synagogue and killed people 00:28:56.868 --> 00:29:02.007 there was the same person who fire bombed the mosque 00:29:02.007 --> 00:29:05.410 ten miles down the road in Escondido. 00:29:05.410 --> 00:29:09.381 And he had invoked New Zealand for that attack. 00:29:09.381 --> 00:29:14.019 So it's the interconnectivity and on top of that 00:29:14.019 --> 00:29:19.224 there are two important observations. 00:29:19.224 --> 00:29:23.462 Number one hate has no religion. 00:29:23.462 --> 00:29:28.400 These people do not belong to any faith community. 00:29:28.400 --> 00:29:31.837 They may use religion, they may politicize it, 00:29:31.837 --> 00:29:34.773 they may use it as a vehicle, 00:29:34.773 --> 00:29:38.710 but they do not belong in any of our faiths. 00:29:38.710 --> 00:29:44.082 And at the end of the day it's between them and our creator. 00:29:44.082 --> 00:29:50.155 So we do not, you know, so our voices in making clear 00:29:50.155 --> 00:29:53.258 where we stand as faith communities 00:29:53.258 --> 00:29:54.893 and where these violent extremists 00:29:54.893 --> 00:29:57.763 stand is important. 00:29:57.763 --> 00:30:01.066 And that these, no matter what we're talking about, 00:30:01.066 --> 00:30:03.402 whether it's ISIS 00:30:03.402 --> 00:30:10.909 or White Supremacy now they're all transnational threats. 00:30:10.909 --> 00:30:14.146 The White Supremacist we'll talk about New Zealand and Norway 00:30:14.146 --> 00:30:16.815 and Neo Nazis in Europe and so on and so forth. 00:30:16.815 --> 00:30:20.485 So I think one of the issues that we need to be talking about 00:30:20.485 --> 00:30:23.055 from a public policy standpoint is at 00:30:23.055 --> 00:30:27.392 what point is domestic not really domestic? 00:30:27.392 --> 00:30:29.227 Are we just using domestic simply because 00:30:29.227 --> 00:30:31.430 the person is White? 00:30:31.430 --> 00:30:34.032 And we use international and foreign because 00:30:34.032 --> 00:30:35.867 the person is Muslim. 00:30:35.867 --> 00:30:40.405 So we need to think about that policy and how it impacts 00:30:40.405 --> 00:30:43.508 not just the way we're countering it, 00:30:43.508 --> 00:30:47.879 but the way it can be used to recruit 00:30:47.879 --> 00:30:53.118 more people into violent extremism. 00:30:53.118 --> 00:30:58.457 The other point, observation is that at the end of the day 00:30:58.457 --> 00:31:04.362 it really is that relationship of trust between 00:31:04.362 --> 00:31:05.664 the local community 00:31:05.664 --> 00:31:09.301 and law enforcement that is the most critical step. 00:31:09.301 --> 00:31:13.004 And I applaud our administration, 00:31:13.004 --> 00:31:15.574 the Assistant Secretary spoke today, 00:31:15.574 --> 00:31:19.578 John Picarelli and John Cohen with whom 00:31:19.578 --> 00:31:23.982 we all work closely, in trying to rebuild that trust 00:31:23.982 --> 00:31:27.052 with the government and law enforcement. 00:31:27.052 --> 00:31:31.923 I believe CRCL, Civil Rights, Civil Liberties Division 00:31:31.923 --> 00:31:34.860 is critical in rebuilding that trust 00:31:34.860 --> 00:31:36.495 at the forums that they've had. 00:31:36.495 --> 00:31:40.365 The last thing I want to say in terms of the work we did with 00:31:40.365 --> 00:31:44.469 the Task Force is that there are protective security advisors 00:31:44.469 --> 00:31:48.340 that come out and do threat assessments of infrastructure. 00:31:48.340 --> 00:31:50.475 And this is done for free. 00:31:50.475 --> 00:31:54.746 And every house of worship should take 00:31:54.746 --> 00:31:57.015 advantage of that service, 00:31:57.015 --> 00:31:59.417 but more importantly there are not enough of these 00:31:59.417 --> 00:32:01.953 advisors that go around the country. 00:32:01.953 --> 00:32:06.358 We were in Jackson, Mississippi, our Task Force, 00:32:06.358 --> 00:32:10.028 I think Todd you were with us in Jackson. 00:32:10.028 --> 00:32:15.534 And Jackson, Mississippi, Benny Thompson was there, 00:32:15.534 --> 00:32:16.701 the Secretary at that time, 00:32:16.701 --> 00:32:18.904 the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security was there, 00:32:18.904 --> 00:32:23.341 we spoke and we found out that we only had 00:32:23.341 --> 00:32:27.345 one protective security advisor for that whole region 00:32:27.345 --> 00:32:30.749 that maybe encompasses five states 00:32:30.749 --> 00:32:34.619 and only $40,000 from the security fund 00:32:34.619 --> 00:32:39.624 for protection of the infrastructure for five states. 00:32:39.624 --> 00:32:44.896 So we need to think about developing equity 00:32:44.896 --> 00:32:47.933 in the disbursement of funds 00:32:47.933 --> 00:32:54.272 and the way we commission our protective security advisors to 00:32:54.272 --> 00:32:58.810 and other federal officers in protecting 00:32:58.810 --> 00:33:02.981 our houses of worship. Thank you. 00:33:02.981 --> 00:33:05.450 >>Thank you, Salam. I appreciate your remarks 00:33:05.450 --> 00:33:08.420 and I think the piece that sticks with me 00:33:08.420 --> 00:33:11.056 that kind of builds on a consistent theme is relationship 00:33:11.056 --> 00:33:14.559 of trust between the faith community and civic society 00:33:14.559 --> 00:33:16.461 and making sure that we drive that we drive that trust 00:33:16.461 --> 00:33:19.831 and that relationship building down to the most local level. 00:33:19.831 --> 00:33:24.903 It's going to be that local pastor, rabbi, imam, 00:33:24.903 --> 00:33:26.671 head of a Sikh gurudwara, 00:33:26.671 --> 00:33:28.473 working with local law enforcement 00:33:28.473 --> 00:33:30.542 and building that trust over time 00:33:30.542 --> 00:33:35.247 that is absolutely critical, appreciate that. 00:33:35.247 --> 00:33:38.016 And your remarks and your thoughts about some specific 00:33:38.016 --> 00:33:41.419 things from a policy perspective of what would be helpful 00:33:41.419 --> 00:33:43.922 as we continue to expand the conversation about 00:33:43.922 --> 00:33:48.093 how we continue to prevent acts of targeted violence. 00:33:48.093 --> 00:33:51.930 Todd Richins, let's go over to you, a little bit about 00:33:51.930 --> 00:33:54.132 the Church of Latter-day Saint Security 00:33:54.132 --> 00:33:56.434 and some specific ways that organizations 00:33:56.434 --> 00:33:58.503 can work with your organization 00:33:58.503 --> 00:34:01.539 or that your organization does working with the community. 00:34:01.539 --> 00:34:03.341 >>Yeah, thank you, Marcus. 00:34:03.341 --> 00:34:07.212 And so in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a 00:34:07.212 --> 00:34:10.682 global organization and I work for the security department 00:34:10.682 --> 00:34:12.517 for that organization. 00:34:12.517 --> 00:34:14.352 And so we handle many things. 00:34:14.352 --> 00:34:17.255 A recent one is the coo in Sudan, 00:34:17.255 --> 00:34:18.556 which we were looking after members 00:34:18.556 --> 00:34:21.693 that we had there and how to serve them. 00:34:21.693 --> 00:34:27.299 So my direct responsibility is for United States and Canada. 00:34:27.299 --> 00:34:28.433 And within the United States 00:34:28.433 --> 00:34:31.236 and Canada we have about 7,500 meeting houses 00:34:31.236 --> 00:34:34.506 or chapels and each of them will have about two congregations 00:34:34.506 --> 00:34:38.777 in each of them and then we have about 120 temples. 00:34:38.777 --> 00:34:41.346 And many of you familiar with the Washington, D.C. temple, 00:34:41.346 --> 00:34:43.682 so the edifice is like that. 00:34:43.682 --> 00:34:46.651 And then we work with local leaders, ecclesiastical leaders 00:34:46.651 --> 00:34:49.921 on the local levels really to deal with the issues 00:34:49.921 --> 00:34:52.490 that they're seeing on a day to day basis 00:34:52.490 --> 00:34:54.326 and help prepare for them. 00:34:54.326 --> 00:34:56.828 So what I've realized in doing this, 00:34:56.828 --> 00:35:00.565 and a lot of these items that I'll say have already been said, 00:35:00.565 --> 00:35:03.301 but from my point of view partnerships. 00:35:03.301 --> 00:35:06.571 And recently in the climate today. 00:35:06.571 --> 00:35:08.306 I'll come about this a little bit different too. 00:35:08.306 --> 00:35:10.041 I'm a security expert. 00:35:10.041 --> 00:35:14.546 So that's what I do, security for the church. 00:35:14.546 --> 00:35:18.516 But what we've seen is in the social climate today 00:35:18.516 --> 00:35:20.118 a lot of people seem to point 00:35:20.118 --> 00:35:22.554 and say you need to fix this, 00:35:22.554 --> 00:35:23.822 you need to have that. 00:35:23.822 --> 00:35:26.157 And really partnerships are not like that. 00:35:26.157 --> 00:35:27.425 Partnerships are saying we. 00:35:27.425 --> 00:35:29.694 We need to tackle this? 00:35:29.694 --> 00:35:31.496 How can we work together? 00:35:31.496 --> 00:35:33.431 And I think that's one of the things that I've seen 00:35:33.431 --> 00:35:36.101 and I've worked with many on this panel 00:35:36.101 --> 00:35:38.236 and each one of these individuals 00:35:38.236 --> 00:35:40.071 you know they have a love in their heart 00:35:40.071 --> 00:35:42.173 for what they're doing and want to do it. 00:35:42.173 --> 00:35:44.643 And I hear a lot of we's in this group. 00:35:44.643 --> 00:35:46.244 And so that's a positive. 00:35:46.244 --> 00:35:47.512 But I think that's one of the biggest things 00:35:47.512 --> 00:35:49.981 I take away is we need to work together. 00:35:49.981 --> 00:35:51.082 We need to fix this. 00:35:51.082 --> 00:35:53.585 We can't wait for someone else to fix it. 00:35:53.585 --> 00:35:57.989 The other things that I kind of come away with is preparedness, 00:35:57.989 --> 00:36:00.625 for prevention and awareness for our local leaders 00:36:00.625 --> 00:36:02.794 a lot of our eccliastical leaders 00:36:02.794 --> 00:36:05.263 their number one goal is the spiritual 00:36:05.263 --> 00:36:08.633 salvation of their parishioners. 00:36:08.633 --> 00:36:11.669 Security sometimes can take a second seat 00:36:11.669 --> 00:36:13.905 or a backseat to that. 00:36:13.905 --> 00:36:17.175 And so one of our aims is to get the information into their hands 00:36:17.175 --> 00:36:20.745 to make it simple and easy to use with resources 00:36:20.745 --> 00:36:22.580 that they can get, 00:36:22.580 --> 00:36:25.116 so it's not a difficult thing to mitigate 00:36:25.116 --> 00:36:27.018 or to solve those issues. 00:36:27.018 --> 00:36:29.788 And so one of the big things we look at is let's make sure 00:36:29.788 --> 00:36:32.991 every eccleastical leader has basic information 00:36:32.991 --> 00:36:34.159 and then we put together 00:36:34.159 --> 00:36:37.996 a two page document with they can come to us 00:36:37.996 --> 00:36:39.864 if they need further information 00:36:39.864 --> 00:36:42.467 or if we need a security assessment 00:36:42.467 --> 00:36:45.437 and provide even more security technology 00:36:45.437 --> 00:36:49.774 or some physical prevention methods to help that. 00:36:49.774 --> 00:36:52.043 So that's the biggest thing that we've seen as well 00:36:52.043 --> 00:36:54.045 is the getting it into the hands 00:36:54.045 --> 00:36:55.780 and it has to be really done, 00:36:55.780 --> 00:36:57.415 and I know that Salam said this, 00:36:57.415 --> 00:36:58.616 and I think a few others have said this, 00:36:58.616 --> 00:37:01.686 on that community level. 00:37:01.686 --> 00:37:05.557 I do a great job and we can do a great job in making partnerships 00:37:05.557 --> 00:37:08.726 with DHS and with other individuals, 00:37:08.726 --> 00:37:11.329 which are very valuable. We really enjoyed them. 00:37:11.329 --> 00:37:13.598 And I think we've been able to accomplish a lot 00:37:13.598 --> 00:37:14.966 through those partnerships. 00:37:14.966 --> 00:37:16.968 But the partnerships on the community level 00:37:16.968 --> 00:37:18.236 or on the local level 00:37:18.236 --> 00:37:21.773 seems to really get a lot of traction 00:37:21.773 --> 00:37:25.410 and benefits to having that where, 00:37:25.410 --> 00:37:28.213 you know, you have two houses of worship 00:37:28.213 --> 00:37:31.282 next to each other or close by, maybe one meets on Saturday, 00:37:31.282 --> 00:37:33.551 one meets on Sunday, 00:37:33.551 --> 00:37:35.687 you can watch each other's places, 00:37:35.687 --> 00:37:38.256 have an eye out for them, simple things. 00:37:38.256 --> 00:37:40.391 It doesn't take a whole lot of effort. 00:37:40.391 --> 00:37:43.595 So we find that is very valuable. 00:37:43.595 --> 00:37:46.931 So that's what we do in my area of responsibility. 00:37:46.931 --> 00:37:49.567 It's really, we want to be part of the solution 00:37:49.567 --> 00:37:52.270 and to help fix things. 00:37:52.270 --> 00:37:56.875 And I think that Salam and I know that Michael and Kiran 00:37:56.875 --> 00:38:00.645 all have said something similar that we need to work together 00:38:00.645 --> 00:38:02.480 to be that solution. 00:38:02.480 --> 00:38:05.216 And so that's a very positive direction we're headed. 00:38:08.720 --> 00:38:12.724 >>And Todd we are thankful for you in the remarks. 00:38:12.724 --> 00:38:15.994 And I think that you're right in terms of thinking about 00:38:15.994 --> 00:38:19.030 moving in a positive direction the importance of again 00:38:19.030 --> 00:38:21.666 that local connection, that local team. 00:38:21.666 --> 00:38:23.668 John, let's close out with you. 00:38:23.668 --> 00:38:27.605 If you'd talk a little bit about of course your distinct in that 00:38:27.605 --> 00:38:30.074 you are a local government representative. 00:38:30.074 --> 00:38:33.978 But you also have a role in the faith community. 00:38:33.978 --> 00:38:37.348 So we'd love to hear more about your work from the D.C. position 00:38:37.348 --> 00:38:40.752 and then let's, as you're closing your remarks 00:38:40.752 --> 00:38:41.886 if you can think through 00:38:41.886 --> 00:38:45.089 one practical recommendation that some of the faith leaders 00:38:45.089 --> 00:38:47.826 that may be joining us today can kind of take 00:38:47.826 --> 00:38:51.729 as they're having local conversations with their city 00:38:51.729 --> 00:38:55.233 or county or state counterparts. 00:38:55.233 --> 00:38:56.701 >>You bet. Thanks, Marcus. 00:38:56.701 --> 00:39:00.338 It was great to meet in person both Michael and Salam. 00:39:00.338 --> 00:39:02.640 Salam mentioned the Eradicate Hate conference that was 00:39:02.640 --> 00:39:07.779 in Pittsburgh that was a beautiful energy. 00:39:07.779 --> 00:39:11.249 I mean, there were hundreds of people that gathered both online 00:39:11.249 --> 00:39:14.919 and in person for the first ever Eradicate Hate conference 00:39:14.919 --> 00:39:17.055 that many of you attended. 00:39:17.055 --> 00:39:20.325 It was great just to see that energy behind 00:39:20.325 --> 00:39:22.293 completely eradicating hate, 00:39:22.293 --> 00:39:24.662 both here domestically within the U.S. 00:39:24.662 --> 00:39:26.197 and international as well. 00:39:26.197 --> 00:39:29.267 So I was excited to see that energy, go back to 00:39:29.267 --> 00:39:33.438 many of our jurisdications and states and localities. 00:39:33.438 --> 00:39:34.639 As I mentioned I work in our 00:39:34.639 --> 00:39:36.975 D.C. Fusion Center in Washington, D.C. 00:39:36.975 --> 00:39:39.477 I work with an amazing team of intelligence analysts 00:39:39.477 --> 00:39:41.679 and staff that serve the District of Columbia 00:39:41.679 --> 00:39:43.715 in our National Capital Region. 00:39:43.715 --> 00:39:46.017 A little background on me, I came to HSEMA 00:39:46.017 --> 00:39:47.886 with a background in law enforcement 00:39:47.886 --> 00:39:51.656 having served as a sworn D.C. police officer 00:39:51.656 --> 00:39:55.994 and also spent a number of years working on the civilian side 00:39:55.994 --> 00:39:58.529 as well in NPDs Intelligence Unit within 00:39:58.529 --> 00:40:00.598 their Homeland Security Bureau. 00:40:00.598 --> 00:40:03.201 Prior to my work at HSEMA I served as the Deputy Director 00:40:03.201 --> 00:40:06.137 at the Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement. 00:40:06.137 --> 00:40:08.806 In that role I was responsible for leading coordination of 00:40:08.806 --> 00:40:12.510 responses to work with the families of decedents 00:40:12.510 --> 00:40:14.646 directly impacted by homicides 00:40:14.646 --> 00:40:17.315 and non-fatal shootings in the District. 00:40:17.315 --> 00:40:18.816 I also worked for the Office of the 00:40:18.816 --> 00:40:20.018 Deputy Mayor of Public Safety 00:40:20.018 --> 00:40:22.954 and Justice here in D.C. And prior to coming on 00:40:22.954 --> 00:40:25.657 board at the Deputy Mayor's Office I worked with NPD 00:40:25.657 --> 00:40:28.092 as well as a civilian as I mentioned. 00:40:28.092 --> 00:40:31.763 I began my career serving as a youth pastor here in D.C., 00:40:31.763 --> 00:40:34.499 in Chinatown at a local D.C. church 00:40:34.499 --> 00:40:36.401 and I remain an ordained minister 00:40:36.401 --> 00:40:37.835 and I've spent a decade volunteering 00:40:37.835 --> 00:40:39.504 as an associate pastor at 00:40:39.504 --> 00:40:41.372 Matthews Memorial Baptist Church, 00:40:41.372 --> 00:40:44.309 it's just down the street from our office in the District. 00:40:44.309 --> 00:40:48.513 I joined HSEMA in 2019 and in that year we kicked off 00:40:48.513 --> 00:40:51.683 what we call the Interfaith PreparednessAdvisory Group, 00:40:51.683 --> 00:40:52.884 the IPAG. 00:40:52.884 --> 00:40:55.119 And so I wanted to give a little background on the IPAG. 00:40:55.119 --> 00:40:59.657 Michael's team from NCN are heavily involved with our work 00:40:59.657 --> 00:41:03.695 within our Jewish community within the District. 00:41:03.695 --> 00:41:06.831 The idea was to sponsor between three different entities. 00:41:06.831 --> 00:41:09.367 So we have the Mayor's Office of Religious Affairs, 00:41:09.367 --> 00:41:10.868 we have the D.C. Police Department, 00:41:10.868 --> 00:41:13.438 our local PD and HSEMA. 00:41:13.438 --> 00:41:16.975 And those three agencies together co-lead the IPAG. 00:41:16.975 --> 00:41:18.810 One of the great things about the IPAG is we didn't have 00:41:18.810 --> 00:41:21.746 to create a line item to kick start this. 00:41:21.746 --> 00:41:23.948 So that's one of my things to the faith community. 00:41:23.948 --> 00:41:26.351 When we first started it was really just organizing on 00:41:26.351 --> 00:41:28.319 the local level between law enforcement 00:41:28.319 --> 00:41:30.254 and the faith community. 00:41:30.254 --> 00:41:32.490 We've built some things over the last couple of years 00:41:32.490 --> 00:41:35.827 and been able to use some resources from DHS, 00:41:35.827 --> 00:41:37.495 the nonprofit security grants 00:41:37.495 --> 00:41:39.997 are an amazing tool that we're able to go in 00:41:39.997 --> 00:41:43.101 and as Todd mentioned do those security assessments 00:41:43.101 --> 00:41:45.103 when a congregation needs one 00:41:45.103 --> 00:41:49.040 and then help them apply for those DHS non-security, 00:41:49.040 --> 00:41:51.075 nonprofit security grants. 00:41:51.075 --> 00:41:54.212 But to kick it off this took no funding at all. 00:41:54.212 --> 00:41:55.913 We've all seen how disasters start 00:41:55.913 --> 00:41:57.482 and end in the local community 00:41:57.482 --> 00:42:01.185 and when a disaster disrupts the city's day to day operations 00:42:01.185 --> 00:42:02.854 it not only causes loss in revenue it also 00:42:02.854 --> 00:42:06.457 slows down that community's ability to recovery. 00:42:06.457 --> 00:42:09.093 And so in D.C. ensuring that the local faith community 00:42:09.093 --> 00:42:10.361 was prepared to respond 00:42:10.361 --> 00:42:14.399 and recover to help expedite the recovery process 00:42:14.399 --> 00:42:16.901 allows the District to return to normalcy sooner 00:42:16.901 --> 00:42:19.904 and with the support of our local faith leaders. 00:42:19.904 --> 00:42:22.673 Kiran and Marcus both of you mentioned resilience 00:42:22.673 --> 00:42:23.641 and that's something 00:42:23.641 --> 00:42:25.643 that we're building out of the IPAG within 00:42:25.643 --> 00:42:27.311 our local faith community. 00:42:27.311 --> 00:42:30.181 In D.C. right now we currently have 150 congregations 00:42:30.181 --> 00:42:32.150 that are a part of the IPAG. 00:42:32.150 --> 00:42:34.118 Most of our larger synagogues and temples 00:42:34.118 --> 00:42:36.287 and churches are all members. 00:42:36.287 --> 00:42:38.756 They either have security staff that are representative 00:42:38.756 --> 00:42:42.527 or the pastor or rabbi serve as the main representative. 00:42:42.527 --> 00:42:44.062 And it's really just to assist faith leaders 00:42:44.062 --> 00:42:46.431 in the immediate response and recovery to disasters 00:42:46.431 --> 00:42:49.467 and help their congregations prepare and stay safe. 00:42:49.467 --> 00:42:54.305 And that's part of the reason we kicked it off back in 2019. 00:42:54.305 --> 00:42:57.074 And we also ensure that information flow happens on 00:42:57.074 --> 00:42:59.777 a steady stream, so when we have information about 00:42:59.777 --> 00:43:00.978 First Amendment events 00:43:00.978 --> 00:43:03.714 that might impact their place of worship on a Saturday 00:43:03.714 --> 00:43:05.917 or on a Sunday or throughout the week, 00:43:05.917 --> 00:43:07.218 we get that information 00:43:07.218 --> 00:43:09.487 and those road closures out to the faith community 00:43:09.487 --> 00:43:12.356 through the IPAG on our list serves. 00:43:12.356 --> 00:43:16.127 I mentioned we kicked it off in February of 2019. 00:43:16.127 --> 00:43:18.529 John Cohen was actually our keynote speaker 00:43:18.529 --> 00:43:20.231 when he was up at Rutgers. 00:43:20.231 --> 00:43:21.933 He came and gave an overview of threats 00:43:21.933 --> 00:43:25.503 that houses of worship faced in 2019. 00:43:25.503 --> 00:43:28.773 We intentionally served a meal at our first event. 00:43:28.773 --> 00:43:32.276 So we had a large table we set up as a banquet style 00:43:32.276 --> 00:43:33.778 and we had members of the clergy 00:43:33.778 --> 00:43:36.647 who had really never met face to face, 00:43:36.647 --> 00:43:39.450 from different denominations, from different faiths, 00:43:39.450 --> 00:43:40.918 from different quadrants of the city 00:43:40.918 --> 00:43:43.287 all sitting together and sharing a meal 00:43:43.287 --> 00:43:45.590 with the Chief of Police and our Director of D.C. 00:43:45.590 --> 00:43:48.226 Homeland Security and Emergency Management. 00:43:48.226 --> 00:43:52.163 And John Cohen and others from DHS and SISA who came 00:43:52.163 --> 00:43:54.699 and just sat down and met with them and broke bread. 00:43:54.699 --> 00:43:57.668 And we had our first kick off then to the IPAG. 00:43:57.668 --> 00:43:59.804 We meet quarterly, because of Covid 00:43:59.804 --> 00:44:02.507 we've been meeting virtually the last two years. 00:44:02.507 --> 00:44:08.079 Our second IPAG meeting was May 13th hosted 00:44:08.079 --> 00:44:09.947 at the National Cathedral. 00:44:09.947 --> 00:44:12.583 We brought together the Reverend Eric Manning 00:44:12.583 --> 00:44:14.685 from Manual Aid New Church, 00:44:14.685 --> 00:44:17.488 Allan Houseman from the Tree of Life Synagogue, 00:44:17.488 --> 00:44:20.024 who is the Emergency Manager there in Pittsburgh 00:44:20.024 --> 00:44:22.693 and then Reverend Frank Palmoroy [phonetic] 00:44:22.693 --> 00:44:24.262 and Sherry Palmoroy from Southerland 00:44:24.262 --> 00:44:26.097 Springs Baptist Church. 00:44:26.097 --> 00:44:27.932 And it was the first time where those three congregations 00:44:27.932 --> 00:44:29.333 had been together. 00:44:29.333 --> 00:44:32.236 The Tree of Life and Emanuel have done some amazing work, 00:44:32.236 --> 00:44:35.306 both behind the scenes and out in front of cameras 00:44:35.306 --> 00:44:39.310 as far as reconciliation between those groups 00:44:39.310 --> 00:44:41.312 and they unfortunately have a common bond 00:44:41.312 --> 00:44:44.715 now of having a shared experience with a mass shooting. 00:44:44.715 --> 00:44:46.918 But we brought together the Palmaroys as well. 00:44:46.918 --> 00:44:49.654 And ABC's Pierre Thomas moderated 00:44:49.654 --> 00:44:51.923 that event at the National Cathedral. 00:44:51.923 --> 00:44:53.424 We brought them together in the morning 00:44:53.424 --> 00:44:54.792 and they met with emergency managers 00:44:54.792 --> 00:44:56.027 from the District and talked about 00:44:56.027 --> 00:44:58.162 how they handled their act of violence 00:44:58.162 --> 00:45:02.033 at their place of worship, how they recovered 00:45:02.033 --> 00:45:04.669 and how they've gone through that shared journey. 00:45:04.669 --> 00:45:06.938 And in that night they spoke at the Cathedral to the members of 00:45:06.938 --> 00:45:10.207 our IPAG in the faith community as well. 00:45:10.207 --> 00:45:13.110 So I spent the last, the three days with those leaders 00:45:13.110 --> 00:45:16.280 and we all became amazing friends 00:45:16.280 --> 00:45:18.916 over the course of that trip to D.C. 00:45:18.916 --> 00:45:20.451 Some of our other IPAGmeetings 00:45:20.451 --> 00:45:22.353 we've hosted Until Help Arrives, 00:45:22.353 --> 00:45:24.155 it's the Stop the Bleed training 00:45:24.155 --> 00:45:26.390 that's been offered around the country. 00:45:26.390 --> 00:45:29.894 So we conducted those trainings at our member congregations 00:45:29.894 --> 00:45:31.562 and then offered them tech kits 00:45:31.562 --> 00:45:33.364 so it's the emergency trauma kits 00:45:33.364 --> 00:45:35.132 that they were able to install in the front of their 00:45:35.132 --> 00:45:37.768 synagogue or house of worship. 00:45:37.768 --> 00:45:39.503 And then we've also worked with DHS to provide 00:45:39.503 --> 00:45:42.173 those security grant assessments when needed. 00:45:42.173 --> 00:45:46.477 So every year when it comes for grant season we make the rounds. 00:45:46.477 --> 00:45:49.246 Michael's team here locally here in D.C. have joined us 00:45:49.246 --> 00:45:53.851 on those site assessments as well as our D.C. police 00:45:53.851 --> 00:45:55.319 and or other agencies 00:45:55.319 --> 00:45:58.389 that make the rounds and help them sort of do, 00:45:58.389 --> 00:46:01.192 conduct that site assessment and then SISA is able to help us 00:46:01.192 --> 00:46:06.197 put that on paper for them for the grant purpose. 00:46:06.197 --> 00:46:08.933 So I'll pass it back to you Marcus. 00:46:08.933 --> 00:46:12.603 As far as what the group can do, who are listening, 00:46:12.603 --> 00:46:14.138 if they're members of the faith community 00:46:14.138 --> 00:46:15.573 who would like to get involved, 00:46:15.573 --> 00:46:17.508 you know, IPAG was spearheaded 00:46:17.508 --> 00:46:19.944 from the government side of the house, 00:46:19.944 --> 00:46:21.479 but if you're able to go in 00:46:21.479 --> 00:46:23.414 and meet with your local police chief 00:46:23.414 --> 00:46:25.182 or your local or city administrator 00:46:25.182 --> 00:46:27.518 and get their interest. 00:46:27.518 --> 00:46:30.488 You know, every state has a Fusion Center, 00:46:30.488 --> 00:46:32.023 like we have in the District, 00:46:32.023 --> 00:46:33.791 and if you're able to get both buy in 00:46:33.791 --> 00:46:35.593 from the local PD 00:46:35.593 --> 00:46:40.865 and perhaps the city to start something like the IPAG, 00:46:40.865 --> 00:46:43.301 you know it really, it didn't cost the city anything 00:46:43.301 --> 00:46:45.002 to get it going 00:46:45.002 --> 00:46:47.605 and it's something that we can hope to ... 00:46:47.605 --> 00:46:48.939 as everyone mentioned, 00:46:48.939 --> 00:46:50.975 Todd and Michael and Kiran and Salam 00:46:50.975 --> 00:46:53.244 it's really think that network between law enforcement 00:46:53.244 --> 00:46:55.179 and the faith community 00:46:55.179 --> 00:46:57.448 that we've seen developed over the last couple 00:46:57.448 --> 00:46:58.916 of years here in D.C. 00:46:58.916 --> 00:47:01.319 >>Awesome. Now John I love that man 00:47:01.319 --> 00:47:03.120 and I appreciate you closing with kind of the 00:47:03.120 --> 00:47:05.956 practical recommendation so this is 00:47:05.956 --> 00:47:08.125 and I think to your point, right, 00:47:08.125 --> 00:47:10.628 if you're on the line and you either represent 00:47:10.628 --> 00:47:14.065 local law enforcement or if you're a faith leader maybe in 00:47:14.065 --> 00:47:17.201 another capacity, you work with local law enforcement, 00:47:17.201 --> 00:47:19.403 that can be your starter conversation, right? 00:47:19.403 --> 00:47:21.105 I was on the session today, 00:47:21.105 --> 00:47:23.240 or heard about this thing called an IPAG 00:47:23.240 --> 00:47:25.810 and that can be a starting conversation 00:47:25.810 --> 00:47:28.012 that the folks can take back with them. 00:47:28.012 --> 00:47:30.281 I want to ask all of you, 00:47:30.281 --> 00:47:35.052 so you guys are doing remarkable work nationally, 00:47:35.052 --> 00:47:36.887 but for the next set of questions 00:47:36.887 --> 00:47:41.225 I want you to go back to your personal 00:47:41.225 --> 00:47:45.062 or your home house of worship 00:47:45.062 --> 00:47:48.733 and let's think about for that faith leader 00:47:48.733 --> 00:47:50.434 or that person that's representing 00:47:50.434 --> 00:47:53.104 a faith community that may be on a call 00:47:53.104 --> 00:47:56.440 that's starting from complete zero, 00:47:56.440 --> 00:47:59.210 this is the first time they're hearing the conversation 00:47:59.210 --> 00:48:00.411 or on the opposite, right, 00:48:00.411 --> 00:48:01.579 they've been tracking this topic 00:48:01.579 --> 00:48:04.915 for a long time but it seems really big 00:48:04.915 --> 00:48:06.884 and there's a lot to get done, 00:48:06.884 --> 00:48:09.086 there's a lot of partners to have 00:48:09.086 --> 00:48:12.156 and they're looking for just the first two key steps 00:48:12.156 --> 00:48:14.525 to take internally. 00:48:14.525 --> 00:48:16.527 Would love for each one of you to provide 00:48:16.527 --> 00:48:19.397 what you would recommend is the first conversation 00:48:19.397 --> 00:48:20.531 and kind of the first step 00:48:20.531 --> 00:48:23.334 that an organization can take internally 00:48:23.334 --> 00:48:26.203 and then kind of picking up on what John shared one step 00:48:26.203 --> 00:48:28.439 to take externally if we talk about working with 00:48:28.439 --> 00:48:30.975 local law enforcement. 00:48:30.975 --> 00:48:36.180 Let's start with Kiran and then we'll go around the horn 00:48:36.180 --> 00:48:37.715 and then we'll end with Mr. Masters. 00:48:37.715 --> 00:48:39.717 So Kiran what's one recommendation 00:48:39.717 --> 00:48:42.953 that you would have for a local community leader 00:48:42.953 --> 00:48:44.121 or a local faith leader 00:48:44.121 --> 00:48:46.590 that's on the call today in terms of like just that 00:48:46.590 --> 00:48:48.926 very first step that they can take 00:48:48.926 --> 00:48:52.596 to help move toward preventing targeted violence? 00:48:54.932 --> 00:48:57.268 Oh, we have you on mute. 00:49:00.070 --> 00:49:02.006 >>Sorry. I was going to say for our community 00:49:02.006 --> 00:49:03.174 and it certainly would extend this 00:49:03.174 --> 00:49:05.876 to other faith communities, SALDEF has resources. 00:49:05.876 --> 00:49:10.915 So we're happy to you know if you call SALDEF 00:49:10.915 --> 00:49:12.917 and I'm sure the other organizations 00:49:12.917 --> 00:49:15.886 on this call also have resources 00:49:15.886 --> 00:49:18.422 that they can provide so that would be kind of step one. 00:49:18.422 --> 00:49:21.859 And I can certainly provide my contact information. 00:49:21.859 --> 00:49:24.628 Step two, I think we've talked about the relationship 00:49:24.628 --> 00:49:26.664 with local law enforcement. 00:49:26.664 --> 00:49:31.202 My first introduction to SALDEF was doing law enforcement 00:49:31.202 --> 00:49:33.737 through our law enforcement partnership program. 00:49:33.737 --> 00:49:36.574 And we literally, it was in New Jersey, 00:49:36.574 --> 00:49:39.777 we literally just cold called the state police, 00:49:39.777 --> 00:49:43.380 we cold called the local police department. 00:49:43.380 --> 00:49:46.784 But that was kind of the entry point 00:49:46.784 --> 00:49:49.086 to building that relationship. 00:49:49.086 --> 00:49:53.224 And I think all of the panelists here today talked about 00:49:53.224 --> 00:49:54.625 the importance of relationships. 00:49:54.625 --> 00:49:57.094 So those would be my two recommendations. 00:49:57.094 --> 00:49:59.363 The other recommendation is to connect 00:49:59.363 --> 00:50:02.266 with other interfaith groups in your area, 00:50:02.266 --> 00:50:06.303 because I think that's, as we have talked about here 00:50:06.303 --> 00:50:10.741 this is not an issue that one community faces alone. 00:50:10.741 --> 00:50:13.043 So I think that was three recommendations. 00:50:13.043 --> 00:50:18.582 But I will pass that along to the next panelist. 00:50:23.087 --> 00:50:24.355 >>Now you're muted. 00:50:24.355 --> 00:50:26.590 >>Yeah, I think you're on mute. 00:50:26.590 --> 00:50:28.392 >>Pure 2021. 00:50:28.392 --> 00:50:30.728 We're still living with the mute button. 00:50:30.728 --> 00:50:33.898 But I was saying I think one recommendation and I think 00:50:33.898 --> 00:50:35.633 and I appreciate that is that there are 00:50:35.633 --> 00:50:37.167 a host of preexisting resources. 00:50:37.167 --> 00:50:38.836 I know I dropped the SCN resources 00:50:38.836 --> 00:50:41.672 in the chat as an example. 00:50:41.672 --> 00:50:43.407 But let's get some more. 00:50:43.407 --> 00:50:48.412 So Salam when you're meeting with members of the community, 00:50:48.412 --> 00:50:51.548 maybe you have a concerned imam that is just, 00:50:51.548 --> 00:50:52.850 doesn't even know where to start, 00:50:52.850 --> 00:50:55.419 what's one recommendation you make for that imam 00:50:55.419 --> 00:50:57.054 or somebody who leads a community center 00:50:57.054 --> 00:50:58.589 that they can take? 00:50:58.589 --> 00:51:03.661 >>Yeah, we actually visited the mosque that was fire bombed 00:51:03.661 --> 00:51:06.797 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 00:51:06.797 --> 00:51:10.134 And that place had no security. 00:51:10.134 --> 00:51:13.170 You could walk in and up in a classroom without 00:51:13.170 --> 00:51:14.905 anybody asking you questions. 00:51:14.905 --> 00:51:20.377 So it was very, very vulnerable at that time. 00:51:20.377 --> 00:51:26.650 The one good thing that happened is that the Jewish community 00:51:26.650 --> 00:51:30.788 came to help support this mosque 00:51:30.788 --> 00:51:37.127 and helped them apply for funding for security. 00:51:37.127 --> 00:51:45.569 And so in nonprofit speak it's called best practices, right? 00:51:45.569 --> 00:51:49.807 So learning the best practices of other organizations 00:51:49.807 --> 00:51:53.010 that have invested resources in this 00:51:53.010 --> 00:51:55.112 and for our community unfortunately 00:51:55.112 --> 00:51:57.314 we don't have that yet. 00:51:57.314 --> 00:52:02.686 So the Mormon, the Jewish, the Sikh, SALDEF and SCN 00:52:02.686 --> 00:52:07.024 and LDS they have been invaluable to our community 00:52:07.024 --> 00:52:09.059 and especially at the local level 00:52:09.059 --> 00:52:11.829 where we have gone to them 00:52:11.829 --> 00:52:16.066 and asked can you help guide these communities, 00:52:16.066 --> 00:52:18.369 these mosques, in particular, 00:52:18.369 --> 00:52:21.872 to help get going on the funding. 00:52:21.872 --> 00:52:24.842 And then internally of course at the end of the day 00:52:24.842 --> 00:52:30.514 we all have to have a committee led by a security person, 00:52:30.514 --> 00:52:31.749 even if that person's 00:52:31.749 --> 00:52:33.250 not a security professional but the person 00:52:33.250 --> 00:52:38.255 who at least knows how to get in touch with law enforcement, 00:52:38.255 --> 00:52:45.162 in touch with other communities and begin the process. 00:52:45.162 --> 00:52:50.834 So those are the two things that we determine from that visit. 00:52:50.834 --> 00:52:52.669 >>Awesome. Thank you for that, Salam. 00:52:52.669 --> 00:52:56.407 And I appreciate you speaking to right, internally. 00:52:56.407 --> 00:52:58.776 I know many of you from houses of worship know this, 00:52:58.776 --> 00:53:00.344 everything is done by committee. 00:53:00.344 --> 00:53:02.813 So having that committee could be the first step 00:53:02.813 --> 00:53:04.415 to make sure that you have the team 00:53:04.415 --> 00:53:07.351 compiled that are engaged there. 00:53:07.351 --> 00:53:10.187 What I dropped in the chat we had actually worked with SCN 00:53:10.187 --> 00:53:12.489 and a few others on an effort a few years back. 00:53:12.489 --> 00:53:15.826 I know he mentioned specifically a fire bombing, an arsine, 00:53:15.826 --> 00:53:17.528 so what I dropped in the chat for folks 00:53:17.528 --> 00:53:19.229 are some practical resources 00:53:19.229 --> 00:53:21.965 for arsine prevention in houses of worship. 00:53:21.965 --> 00:53:23.233 That's something that was developed 00:53:23.233 --> 00:53:25.436 with many of the partners on this call 00:53:25.436 --> 00:53:28.839 and our colleagues at the U.S. Fire Administration. 00:53:28.839 --> 00:53:30.507 And that provides some practical steps, 00:53:30.507 --> 00:53:32.943 specifically as it relates to threat, 00:53:32.943 --> 00:53:34.645 as it relates to arsine. 00:53:34.645 --> 00:53:36.246 Todd, let's kick it over to you. 00:53:36.246 --> 00:53:39.616 So we have right now, right, checking existing resources, 00:53:39.616 --> 00:53:42.286 identifying members of the committee, what's another step, 00:53:42.286 --> 00:53:45.089 Todd that you would recommend to some of the leaders 00:53:45.089 --> 00:53:46.490 that you support or serve 00:53:46.490 --> 00:53:48.492 if they're looking to get started 00:53:48.492 --> 00:53:50.227 with their organization? 00:53:50.227 --> 00:53:51.695 >>So I'll answer this in two ways. 00:53:51.695 --> 00:53:53.931 One for the ecclesiastical leaders 00:53:53.931 --> 00:53:56.934 that I support directly and serve. 00:53:56.934 --> 00:53:59.937 We've already provided resources for them, internet, 00:53:59.937 --> 00:54:01.605 so they can contact us directly 00:54:01.605 --> 00:54:04.708 and also a bunch of information on how they get started, 00:54:04.708 --> 00:54:07.411 which includes us coming in 00:54:07.411 --> 00:54:10.047 and doing a risk assessment for their chapel. 00:54:10.047 --> 00:54:12.483 But for generically across the board help share 00:54:12.483 --> 00:54:14.518 what I think is best for everybody, 00:54:14.518 --> 00:54:16.386 if I was an ecclesiastic leader in any faith 00:54:16.386 --> 00:54:18.222 I'd ask myself do I want to own this 00:54:18.222 --> 00:54:20.457 or do I want someone else to own it? 00:54:20.457 --> 00:54:21.892 Do I have the time? 00:54:21.892 --> 00:54:24.361 And then if I don't have the time I would ask someone, and 00:54:24.361 --> 00:54:27.097 I think Salam just mentioned assign someone to own that. 00:54:27.097 --> 00:54:29.733 And many times we have found that someone 00:54:29.733 --> 00:54:31.335 with a lot of law enforcement background 00:54:31.335 --> 00:54:33.270 may not be the best. 00:54:33.270 --> 00:54:34.471 Someone with interpersonal skills, 00:54:34.471 --> 00:54:36.140 understand what needs to be done 00:54:36.140 --> 00:54:39.109 and can get things done may be the best 00:54:39.109 --> 00:54:41.612 and can take direction from you as an ecclesiastic leader. 00:54:41.612 --> 00:54:43.714 Sometimes law enforcement is the best. 00:54:43.714 --> 00:54:45.482 You know the people in your group, 00:54:45.482 --> 00:54:47.851 ask the best person for that. 00:54:47.851 --> 00:54:50.287 And then what I would say is where I would start tackling it 00:54:50.287 --> 00:54:53.357 is no one enters your facility that you don't know. 00:54:53.357 --> 00:54:56.226 So you have greeters at your doors, you welcome people in, 00:54:56.226 --> 00:54:59.763 we're all very welcoming, that's the whole goal is to have refuge 00:54:59.763 --> 00:55:02.533 and to be welcomed, be part of a community. 00:55:02.533 --> 00:55:05.035 But you know you're in a way screening people 00:55:05.035 --> 00:55:07.404 that come in by welcoming them, 00:55:07.404 --> 00:55:08.805 you know, welcome today, 00:55:08.805 --> 00:55:10.941 welcome to the service today. 00:55:10.941 --> 00:55:13.377 I don't recognize you, are you new in the area? 00:55:13.377 --> 00:55:15.546 People that are up to no good don't like 00:55:15.546 --> 00:55:17.481 to be asked questions. 00:55:17.481 --> 00:55:19.650 And that alone is a wonderful way 00:55:19.650 --> 00:55:22.219 just as an easy way to start. 00:55:22.219 --> 00:55:25.556 The other one that I would do is, 00:55:25.556 --> 00:55:28.125 you know, we talked a lot about invite law enforcement 00:55:28.125 --> 00:55:30.394 and I'm very keen on believing in that 00:55:30.394 --> 00:55:32.029 partnerships, relationships. 00:55:32.029 --> 00:55:34.631 We often miss though your fire department, 00:55:34.631 --> 00:55:36.533 your other EMS services. 00:55:36.533 --> 00:55:39.236 And we find that those are just as valuable. 00:55:39.236 --> 00:55:40.904 So it doesn't really matter where you start 00:55:40.904 --> 00:55:43.707 in making those relationships. 00:55:43.707 --> 00:55:45.576 If you have a member of your congregation 00:55:45.576 --> 00:55:47.778 that belongs to one of them start there. 00:55:47.778 --> 00:55:49.112 Usually the fire department 00:55:49.112 --> 00:55:51.815 and then other law enforcements have connections 00:55:51.815 --> 00:55:53.517 and they can bring it together for you. 00:55:53.517 --> 00:55:55.752 So you get one in and you say, 00:55:55.752 --> 00:55:57.087 hey, we would really like to meet with someone 00:55:57.087 --> 00:56:00.290 in the local law enforcement, do you know of a good contact 00:56:00.290 --> 00:56:01.758 and they can help you out. 00:56:01.758 --> 00:56:05.295 So we really like all emergency services to be the partner. 00:56:05.295 --> 00:56:07.264 So those are the two places I would start. 00:56:07.264 --> 00:56:08.599 First of all, do you want, 00:56:08.599 --> 00:56:10.334 the question that's not even a starting point 00:56:10.334 --> 00:56:12.469 do you want to own it or do you want someone else to? 00:56:12.469 --> 00:56:14.404 Once you figure out who's owning it for you, 00:56:14.404 --> 00:56:16.540 make sure everybody that comes in is greeted 00:56:16.540 --> 00:56:18.408 and you do kind of an understanding 00:56:18.408 --> 00:56:20.277 and if something doesn't feel right, 00:56:20.277 --> 00:56:22.112 you deal with it and you get so 00:56:22.112 --> 00:56:23.747 it doesn't turn into something more. 00:56:23.747 --> 00:56:28.018 And then work with the emergency services, 00:56:28.018 --> 00:56:29.553 develop that relationship. 00:56:29.553 --> 00:56:31.788 >>Sorry to interrupt, but I just want to underscore Todd's 00:56:31.788 --> 00:56:35.626 excellent point it's really all emergency services 00:56:35.626 --> 00:56:38.795 we need to be engaged with 00:56:38.795 --> 00:56:41.732 and all first responders that honestly 00:56:41.732 --> 00:56:47.371 we don't give them enough support or recognition. 00:56:47.371 --> 00:56:50.274 In my bike accident just a microcosm obviously of 00:56:50.274 --> 00:56:51.708 what we're dealing with. 00:56:51.708 --> 00:56:53.377 It was my bike helmet that saved me 00:56:53.377 --> 00:56:56.580 and these first responders that took care of my life. 00:56:56.580 --> 00:56:59.950 So I owe so much to them. 00:56:59.950 --> 00:57:03.420 So I agree we should engage with 00:57:03.420 --> 00:57:07.924 all emergency services personnel. 00:57:07.924 --> 00:57:10.093 >>Thank you for that recommendation 00:57:10.093 --> 00:57:13.563 and I agree about engaging all services personnel. 00:57:13.563 --> 00:57:14.998 Todd, I also appreciate you 00:57:14.998 --> 00:57:17.200 and I think that it is completely okay to your point, 00:57:17.200 --> 00:57:20.037 right, this is a big topic, it's a new issue, 00:57:20.037 --> 00:57:21.438 it may be important to take a big step back 00:57:21.438 --> 00:57:24.341 and determine who's going to own the thing. 00:57:24.341 --> 00:57:27.077 And we know again pastors, imams, rabbis, 00:57:27.077 --> 00:57:28.345 if you're a leader in your door, 00:57:28.345 --> 00:57:29.946 you have a seeker dweller, 00:57:29.946 --> 00:57:32.449 you have a long list of things that you're already doing. 00:57:32.449 --> 00:57:34.918 It's not going to be that leader that's trying to execute 00:57:34.918 --> 00:57:37.020 the development of one of these plans. 00:57:37.020 --> 00:57:39.189 The other piece that I really appreciate is to your point 00:57:39.189 --> 00:57:41.958 about having a greeting structure just to share with 00:57:41.958 --> 00:57:44.494 folks again, this is another resource for everybody, 00:57:44.494 --> 00:57:46.129 I just dropped in the chat 00:57:46.129 --> 00:57:48.665 the power of the Hello Guide for Houses of Worship. 00:57:48.665 --> 00:57:51.201 And so this is some guidance to help kind of walk through 00:57:51.201 --> 00:57:52.903 to that point, if the first thing, 00:57:52.903 --> 00:57:55.205 if don't do anything else but just make sure 00:57:55.205 --> 00:57:57.574 that you have whoever's your welcoming committee, 00:57:57.574 --> 00:58:00.677 whoever's responsible for being that first friendly face, 00:58:00.677 --> 00:58:03.513 that comes into, that people see when they come into 00:58:03.513 --> 00:58:06.183 your facility providing that guidance 00:58:06.183 --> 00:58:09.386 may be a helpful step for you to take. 00:58:09.386 --> 00:58:12.356 John, so putting on your reverend hat, right, 00:58:12.356 --> 00:58:15.692 so you're talking to a room full of other faith leaders, 00:58:15.692 --> 00:58:16.993 they want to know where to start. 00:58:16.993 --> 00:58:19.496 What's one recommendation that you would have for them 00:58:19.496 --> 00:58:20.831 in terms of let's focus 00:58:20.831 --> 00:58:24.201 or let's continue to build on some of the internal focuses 00:58:24.201 --> 00:58:25.469 for how they can start, 00:58:25.469 --> 00:58:26.837 you know, preparing and strengthening 00:58:26.837 --> 00:58:30.507 their facility to prevents of targeted violence? 00:58:30.507 --> 00:58:31.608 >>You bet. 00:58:31.608 --> 00:58:35.145 And Todd and Salam mentioned it, but really as the faith leader 00:58:35.145 --> 00:58:36.747 you want to be focused on your flock, 00:58:36.747 --> 00:58:39.316 you're not going to be wanting to lead this effort 00:58:39.316 --> 00:58:42.018 and go out and meet with all those representatives. 00:58:42.018 --> 00:58:45.255 So I think identifying that talent within your congregation. 00:58:45.255 --> 00:58:47.424 Todd mentioned it might not always be the person 00:58:47.424 --> 00:58:48.792 who has the military background 00:58:48.792 --> 00:58:50.026 or the law enforcement background, 00:58:50.026 --> 00:58:52.729 but really someone who's able to get stuff done. 00:58:52.729 --> 00:58:55.031 If they happen to have that background it's great 00:58:55.031 --> 00:58:57.200 as they're meeting with other law enforcement agencies. 00:58:57.200 --> 00:58:59.503 But if you can find that person to take the lead 00:58:59.503 --> 00:59:00.604 for your congregation 00:59:00.604 --> 00:59:04.574 so you can focus on disciplining and ministering to, 00:59:04.574 --> 00:59:08.512 so this isn't the number one thing on your to-do list. 00:59:08.512 --> 00:59:09.780 I think that's number one. 00:59:09.780 --> 00:59:11.715 Second is there are always organizations 00:59:11.715 --> 00:59:14.418 and groups that meet, of faith leaders. 00:59:14.418 --> 00:59:16.553 Here in D.C. there's been incredible coordination 00:59:16.553 --> 00:59:20.123 for decades amongst clergy and law enforcement. 00:59:20.123 --> 00:59:23.660 But it's usually isolated by denomination 00:59:23.660 --> 00:59:25.729 or by one faith group. 00:59:25.729 --> 00:59:28.865 And so find that group that's already meeting. 00:59:28.865 --> 00:59:31.935 And then to Todd's point and to Salam's point 00:59:31.935 --> 00:59:33.170 you don't have to go to law enforcement, 00:59:33.170 --> 00:59:35.205 you can go to that Emergency Management Office 00:59:35.205 --> 00:59:37.374 that's in your county or your state. 00:59:37.374 --> 00:59:40.110 They're really the hub for having all of those agencies 00:59:40.110 --> 00:59:41.845 already at their fingertips. 00:59:41.845 --> 00:59:45.148 So here in D.C., D.C. Homeland Security Emergency Management 00:59:45.148 --> 00:59:46.883 we've got connections to the fire department 00:59:46.883 --> 00:59:48.985 and police department and Department of Health. 00:59:48.985 --> 00:59:51.788 Many of you over the last two years have probably been sites 00:59:51.788 --> 00:59:53.457 for distribution of vaccines 00:59:53.457 --> 00:59:56.927 and testing that some of your Department of Health's 00:59:56.927 --> 00:59:58.929 have already come to and used your parking lots 00:59:58.929 --> 01:00:01.998 or used your all-purpose rooms or gymnasiums. 01:00:01.998 --> 01:00:03.900 And so your Department of Emergency Management 01:00:03.900 --> 01:00:06.770 is a great tool for you to go to them 01:00:06.770 --> 01:00:10.106 and really find out how you can get involved. 01:00:10.106 --> 01:00:11.575 It's a lot more than just the law enforcement 01:00:11.575 --> 01:00:12.876 side of the house. 01:00:12.876 --> 01:00:15.479 It's how you can be used in disasters. 01:00:15.479 --> 01:00:17.314 And so if you're able to find one of those groups 01:00:17.314 --> 01:00:19.049 that's out there that already meets 01:00:19.049 --> 01:00:20.717 with a large group of clergy, 01:00:20.717 --> 01:00:22.919 so it's not just you going independently 01:00:22.919 --> 01:00:26.289 and then approach your local Emergency Management Agency 01:00:26.289 --> 01:00:28.258 and see how they can get involved 01:00:28.258 --> 01:00:29.459 with the faith community. 01:00:29.459 --> 01:00:31.094 I guarantee they're going to want to get involved 01:00:31.094 --> 01:00:32.596 because you've got some incredible assets 01:00:32.596 --> 01:00:34.798 and resources in the community, 01:00:34.798 --> 01:00:36.233 whether it's your parking lot 01:00:36.233 --> 01:00:38.735 or your building itself. 01:00:38.735 --> 01:00:41.371 So that's my recommendation. 01:00:41.371 --> 01:00:42.405 >>I appreciate that, man, 01:00:42.405 --> 01:00:43.773 I think they're in kind of the top line 01:00:43.773 --> 01:00:46.176 and I think that this has been consistent throughout. 01:00:46.176 --> 01:00:47.377 Don't go it alone. 01:00:47.377 --> 01:00:49.880 Like it may start where it's just one person, 01:00:49.880 --> 01:00:52.115 but look at the broader team. 01:00:52.115 --> 01:00:54.985 Michael, we'd love to come to you 01:00:54.985 --> 01:00:57.420 again for that individual organization, 01:00:57.420 --> 01:00:59.789 I know SCN does, and I think we've heard this 01:00:59.789 --> 01:01:02.526 from a few folks you all offer this service 01:01:02.526 --> 01:01:04.494 and support not just to the Jewish community, 01:01:04.494 --> 01:01:06.496 but to a number of organizations. 01:01:06.496 --> 01:01:09.232 But when you're meeting with organizations for the first time 01:01:09.232 --> 01:01:11.334 what are some recommendations that you provide 01:01:11.334 --> 01:01:14.604 in terms of some of those initial steps to help people, 01:01:14.604 --> 01:01:15.839 you know, on their pathway 01:01:15.839 --> 01:01:18.508 towards stemming acts of targeted violence? 01:01:18.508 --> 01:01:20.210 >>Sure. And I'll step back 01:01:20.210 --> 01:01:21.778 and want to echo everything else 01:01:21.778 --> 01:01:23.013 that's been said, 01:01:23.013 --> 01:01:25.148 but I think the most important thing that people can do 01:01:25.148 --> 01:01:27.918 is to your initial question, Marcus, 01:01:27.918 --> 01:01:29.719 is that they're not alone. 01:01:29.719 --> 01:01:31.655 Reach out. 01:01:31.655 --> 01:01:34.424 Contact as John mentioned the local community 01:01:34.424 --> 01:01:35.625 security director. 01:01:35.625 --> 01:01:38.728 If you're in Washington, D.C., these individuals generally are 01:01:38.728 --> 01:01:41.464 based in the Jewish Federation for the Jewish community. 01:01:41.464 --> 01:01:44.534 Or you can call our duty desk and we can connect you 01:01:44.534 --> 01:01:47.237 with a regional director or regional security advisor. 01:01:47.237 --> 01:01:49.506 Know that you're not alone. 01:01:49.506 --> 01:01:53.209 And then we usually find a way to work, 01:01:53.209 --> 01:01:55.879 we've got resources on our website, which you shared. 01:01:55.879 --> 01:01:59.983 Low cost, no cost tools that any house of worship, 01:01:59.983 --> 01:02:02.085 any day school, 01:02:02.085 --> 01:02:04.554 after school program, community center can do. 01:02:04.554 --> 01:02:07.624 And it's simple things from checking to make sure 01:02:07.624 --> 01:02:09.326 the window locks, 01:02:09.326 --> 01:02:13.363 to the fire alarm works, to the shrubbery is cut back, 01:02:13.363 --> 01:02:16.132 to the lights at night go on. 01:02:16.132 --> 01:02:19.369 We have had instances where potential arsonists 01:02:19.369 --> 01:02:21.938 were scared away by motion sensor lights. 01:02:21.938 --> 01:02:23.640 That's all it took. 01:02:23.640 --> 01:02:26.576 And so we've developed a lot of those resources. 01:02:26.576 --> 01:02:29.512 They're available for everybody. 01:02:29.512 --> 01:02:33.283 Every time I've been on an incident I'm sure that John 01:02:33.283 --> 01:02:35.585 and Todd would echo this from their backgrounds 01:02:35.585 --> 01:02:37.120 and experience, I certainly know 01:02:37.120 --> 01:02:39.789 that Kiran can from the events that 01:02:39.789 --> 01:02:41.825 she's dealt with in the Sikh community. 01:02:41.825 --> 01:02:44.361 You hear the phrase I never thought it could happen here. 01:02:44.361 --> 01:02:48.164 We have to get over that mentality as an entire faith 01:02:48.164 --> 01:02:50.133 based community and be prepared 01:02:50.133 --> 01:02:52.636 and that starts with the phone call or the outreach 01:02:52.636 --> 01:02:55.805 and just getting to work on the simple stuff. 01:02:55.805 --> 01:02:58.608 And there's a fair amount on it. 01:02:58.608 --> 01:03:00.844 It doesn't cost a million dollars, 01:03:00.844 --> 01:03:02.579 it doesn't even cost a hundred thousand dollars 01:03:02.579 --> 01:03:05.515 or fifty thousand dollars to lock the front door. 01:03:05.515 --> 01:03:08.184 And that really, I think those simple things 01:03:08.184 --> 01:03:10.286 we want to demystify a lot of this 01:03:10.286 --> 01:03:12.288 and keep it simple for people on a lot of 01:03:12.288 --> 01:03:15.392 the most important elements and have those conversations, 01:03:15.392 --> 01:03:17.027 which we're here to have. 01:03:17.027 --> 01:03:19.796 The last piece I would say on the law enforcement outreach, 01:03:19.796 --> 01:03:21.231 again, simple. 01:03:21.231 --> 01:03:22.565 And this has been said. 01:03:22.565 --> 01:03:25.068 But I extend it to all first responders the reality 01:03:25.068 --> 01:03:26.903 and the statistics in a house of worship 01:03:26.903 --> 01:03:29.272 is you're not more than an act of targeted violence 01:03:29.272 --> 01:03:31.207 someone's going to have a medical emergency, 01:03:31.207 --> 01:03:33.910 a stroke, they're going to go into anaphylactic shock 01:03:33.910 --> 01:03:37.080 from eating a peanut, a peanut cookie, 01:03:37.080 --> 01:03:38.281 and so it's important 01:03:38.281 --> 01:03:40.050 that we engage the faith based community, 01:03:40.050 --> 01:03:41.985 I mean, the first responder community. 01:03:41.985 --> 01:03:44.421 Two things I can speak from law enforcement that I know 01:03:44.421 --> 01:03:46.022 I was always looking for, 01:03:46.022 --> 01:03:48.658 clean bathroom, clean place to eat, 01:03:48.658 --> 01:03:51.995 and potentially a nice well-lit place to do paperwork. 01:03:51.995 --> 01:03:54.030 And to the point that we can invite 01:03:54.030 --> 01:03:55.231 law enforcement into facilities 01:03:55.231 --> 01:03:59.369 and not just the chief, right, we love our police chiefs, 01:03:59.369 --> 01:04:01.771 but the individual that is on the midnight shift 01:04:01.771 --> 01:04:04.274 that's going to be in the patrol car 01:04:04.274 --> 01:04:05.942 at two o'clock in the morning 01:04:05.942 --> 01:04:08.111 inviting them into the facility so they know. 01:04:08.111 --> 01:04:10.547 We saw the benefit of this unfortunately 01:04:10.547 --> 01:04:13.683 and tragically in Pittsburgh, where our first responders 01:04:13.683 --> 01:04:16.486 had been in that facility before, 01:04:16.486 --> 01:04:18.955 they knew the layout of the building, 01:04:18.955 --> 01:04:20.490 and it's why within 90 seconds 01:04:20.490 --> 01:04:22.959 they were able to so effectively respond 01:04:22.959 --> 01:04:24.394 and make sure that even though 01:04:24.394 --> 01:04:27.063 we tragically lost 11 lives that day, 01:04:27.063 --> 01:04:30.567 that as the President pointed out in his statement 01:04:30.567 --> 01:04:32.669 earlier today the death toll could have been 01:04:32.669 --> 01:04:34.637 much, much higher. 01:04:34.637 --> 01:04:37.073 And that needs to be an everyday experience. 01:04:37.073 --> 01:04:39.642 So whether they're going to sit and have that longer meal 01:04:39.642 --> 01:04:43.179 at a gurudwara or a Shabbat, a lunch 01:04:43.179 --> 01:04:45.381 or just a clean place to use the bathroom, 01:04:45.381 --> 01:04:47.250 you know, make sure that we're inviting people in 01:04:47.250 --> 01:04:50.253 at ten o'clock in the morning, at ten o'clock at night, 01:04:50.253 --> 01:04:53.556 two o'clock in the afternoon, two o'clock in the morning. 01:04:53.556 --> 01:04:54.791 >>Thank you for that Michael. 01:04:54.791 --> 01:04:57.594 And what I appreciate about that you shared, and I think that, 01:04:57.594 --> 01:05:00.630 and it shouldn't be lost on folks, 01:05:00.630 --> 01:05:02.766 we know that again when we talk about this topic 01:05:02.766 --> 01:05:05.935 and we're hosting maybe a training or something big, 01:05:05.935 --> 01:05:07.370 that may be the time that you want to reach out 01:05:07.370 --> 01:05:10.373 to a police chief or a fire chief or the head of the EMS. 01:05:10.373 --> 01:05:12.742 But what Michael said in terms of just creating 01:05:12.742 --> 01:05:14.310 that informal touch, 01:05:14.310 --> 01:05:17.680 whoever's responsible for that jurisdiction, 01:05:17.680 --> 01:05:18.848 either it's part of their beat, 01:05:18.848 --> 01:05:21.417 so they're doing just general engagement 01:05:21.417 --> 01:05:24.354 and making sure that for those first responders let's extend it 01:05:24.354 --> 01:05:27.991 to the broad swathe, right, fire, EMS, police. 01:05:27.991 --> 01:05:31.227 If they know that you're a place that they can come to 01:05:31.227 --> 01:05:33.997 in an informal way that that builds tremendous relationship. 01:05:33.997 --> 01:05:36.933 That is a tremendous asset and benefit. 01:05:36.933 --> 01:05:38.434 Another resource that I want to drop in, 01:05:38.434 --> 01:05:40.170 and it was brought up earlier, 01:05:40.170 --> 01:05:41.671 you are the help until help arrives. 01:05:41.671 --> 01:05:43.373 I also appreciate kind of the thread 01:05:43.373 --> 01:05:44.440 that they've talked about. 01:05:44.440 --> 01:05:46.209 I know we're talking here about preventing 01:05:46.209 --> 01:05:47.443 acts of targeted violence. 01:05:47.443 --> 01:05:50.079 But in terms of the need and the type of things that happen 01:05:50.079 --> 01:05:51.714 often you're going to end up in situations 01:05:51.714 --> 01:05:53.950 where people are responding to other medical emergencies 01:05:53.950 --> 01:05:56.286 and want to know what steps they can take 01:05:56.286 --> 01:05:59.355 until formal help arrives and is able to get engaged. 01:05:59.355 --> 01:06:02.292 And so I wanted to drop that resource for folks. 01:06:02.292 --> 01:06:03.593 Let's broaden it a bit. 01:06:03.593 --> 01:06:05.461 So we've provided some practical steps 01:06:05.461 --> 01:06:08.965 that people can take in terms of getting together a team, 01:06:08.965 --> 01:06:10.633 identifying folks to engage, 01:06:10.633 --> 01:06:12.135 knowing how folks can work with. 01:06:12.135 --> 01:06:14.237 I actually want to pull a thread, this is a question 01:06:14.237 --> 01:06:17.207 that was dropped in the chat a bit earlier. 01:06:17.207 --> 01:06:18.575 Again, we're talking about preventing 01:06:18.575 --> 01:06:19.976 acts of targeted violence. 01:06:19.976 --> 01:06:23.046 Some of that is just knowing how to share information 01:06:23.046 --> 01:06:25.515 and knowing who to talk to 01:06:25.515 --> 01:06:29.052 and what kind of information would be useful or maybe, 01:06:29.052 --> 01:06:31.154 and I've heard other faith leaders talk like this, 01:06:31.154 --> 01:06:33.690 they don't want to bother officials 01:06:33.690 --> 01:06:35.725 with information that may not be true. 01:06:35.725 --> 01:06:39.429 So they may be reluctant to provide information sharing. 01:06:39.429 --> 01:06:42.999 And so I want to start with Salam, 01:06:42.999 --> 01:06:44.067 what are some recommendations 01:06:44.067 --> 01:06:46.269 you would have for an organization, 01:06:46.269 --> 01:06:49.105 maybe they are just getting a relationship started 01:06:49.105 --> 01:06:50.940 and aren't sure what level of information 01:06:50.940 --> 01:06:53.109 or the type of information that they can share 01:06:53.109 --> 01:06:56.412 with local law enforcement or with some of the local officials 01:06:56.412 --> 01:06:57.614 to help prevent targeted violence. 01:06:57.614 --> 01:06:59.782 So what kind of recommendations do you give to people 01:06:59.782 --> 01:07:05.521 as it relates to information sharing at the local level? 01:07:05.521 --> 01:07:09.659 >>Yeah, the term information sharing is unfortunately 01:07:09.659 --> 01:07:13.930 it's a loaded term in our community. 01:07:13.930 --> 01:07:22.071 And so I think we need to consider other terms 01:07:22.071 --> 01:07:24.173 and also another recommendation 01:07:24.173 --> 01:07:33.049 we had is to assess the use of the Fusion Centers. 01:07:33.049 --> 01:07:36.753 I don't think many people in our faith based community 01:07:36.753 --> 01:07:38.588 know anything about Fusion Centers 01:07:38.588 --> 01:07:43.359 other than probably the people on the screen right here. 01:07:43.359 --> 01:07:44.460 But you go out in the community, 01:07:44.460 --> 01:07:46.663 they don't know what a Fusion Center is. 01:07:46.663 --> 01:07:53.937 So communicating that, talking about what it actually does 01:07:53.937 --> 01:07:57.206 and how it protects people 01:07:57.206 --> 01:07:59.475 and also doing a self-assessment in terms of its 01:07:59.475 --> 01:08:03.546 effectiveness I think are critical before we get 01:08:03.546 --> 01:08:07.717 into discussing this idea of information sharing. 01:08:07.717 --> 01:08:12.789 I mean, if you're experienced in the field, 01:08:12.789 --> 01:08:16.292 of course the idea is that if Todd says, 01:08:16.292 --> 01:08:18.461 hey, something's happening in Utah 01:08:18.461 --> 01:08:23.399 and this group has roots in Los Angeles and he tells me 01:08:23.399 --> 01:08:27.170 and I talk to Kiran in Washington 01:08:27.170 --> 01:08:29.105 and Michael in Chicago 01:08:29.105 --> 01:08:31.841 and we have that network that's information sharing. 01:08:31.841 --> 01:08:33.609 That's important. 01:08:33.609 --> 01:08:37.313 But there's a perception that communities 01:08:37.313 --> 01:08:39.315 are giving information to the government 01:08:39.315 --> 01:08:42.452 that are used for intelligence gathering 01:08:42.452 --> 01:08:44.387 against the communities. 01:08:44.387 --> 01:08:52.028 So we have to deconstruct that, have some conversations about it 01:08:52.028 --> 01:08:56.566 in terms of moving forward for the various faith 01:08:56.566 --> 01:08:58.968 based communities on information sharing. 01:08:58.968 --> 01:08:59.969 >>Absolutely. 01:08:59.969 --> 01:09:01.904 >>And Salam I appreciate you unpacking the term. 01:09:01.904 --> 01:09:04.440 So my intent definitely was more of the latter of what 01:09:04.440 --> 01:09:06.409 you were talking about, right? >>Yes. 01:09:06.409 --> 01:09:08.311 >>Maybe there's something that happens at a facility 01:09:08.311 --> 01:09:09.812 or at a house of worship 01:09:09.812 --> 01:09:12.248 and you're calling and talking with your friends 01:09:12.248 --> 01:09:14.951 and include other faith leaders in terms of hey, 01:09:14.951 --> 01:09:16.986 here's what's going on, 01:09:16.986 --> 01:09:21.124 or, right, we have somebody call our house of worship 01:09:21.124 --> 01:09:23.960 or call a facility and there was a bomb threat 01:09:23.960 --> 01:09:26.796 and we're not sure what kind of information to gather 01:09:26.796 --> 01:09:29.565 and who we should be talking with about that. 01:09:29.565 --> 01:09:31.634 And so I appreciate you unpacking that term. 01:09:31.634 --> 01:09:34.470 And I know that it does have some connotations 01:09:34.470 --> 01:09:36.039 depending on communities what that means. 01:09:36.039 --> 01:09:37.306 I think I'm more so coming from 01:09:37.306 --> 01:09:39.442 that spirit of if there is an act 01:09:39.442 --> 01:09:41.277 or if there's something that you know has happened 01:09:41.277 --> 01:09:43.679 somewhere else who should you be talking with, 01:09:43.679 --> 01:09:45.715 how do those first conversations go? 01:09:45.715 --> 01:09:47.683 Todd, I want to move over to you. 01:09:47.683 --> 01:09:51.854 I know that you work with folks across the country as well. 01:09:51.854 --> 01:09:53.523 As folks are having conversations what 01:09:53.523 --> 01:09:57.060 recommendations do you have for folks that are again 01:09:57.060 --> 01:09:59.328 trying to make sure that they are providing 01:09:59.328 --> 01:10:02.198 the right level of information content 01:10:02.198 --> 01:10:05.468 and making sure again that people are sharing information 01:10:05.468 --> 01:10:06.602 for the really good purpose 01:10:06.602 --> 01:10:08.638 intent of helping to keep people safe. 01:10:08.638 --> 01:10:12.809 And so any recommendations you have there would be helpful. 01:10:12.809 --> 01:10:17.613 >>So I first would start off by saying if in doubt share it. 01:10:17.613 --> 01:10:19.082 I think that's the key thing, 01:10:19.082 --> 01:10:21.751 if you're wondering if you should or not, then do. 01:10:21.751 --> 01:10:24.053 And then it goes for a lot of things to understanding 01:10:24.053 --> 01:10:25.988 and learning and teaching 01:10:25.988 --> 01:10:29.092 and training on what that type of information is. 01:10:29.092 --> 01:10:32.562 For instance, when we first started doing a lot of work 01:10:32.562 --> 01:10:33.896 when bombings were happening, 01:10:33.896 --> 01:10:35.898 you have your Boston Marathon, 01:10:35.898 --> 01:10:38.434 we would get packages reported all the time, 01:10:38.434 --> 01:10:40.903 suspicious package, suspicious package. 01:10:40.903 --> 01:10:43.506 Well, they weren't suspicious they were unattended. 01:10:43.506 --> 01:10:45.141 And so we've got to teach the people 01:10:45.141 --> 01:10:48.544 and the groups that are out there what should I report? 01:10:48.544 --> 01:10:51.013 And it takes a little while but I would start off saying report 01:10:51.013 --> 01:10:52.315 everything at first, 01:10:52.315 --> 01:10:54.383 and then we'll work with you to understand more 01:10:54.383 --> 01:10:58.020 and to better, where I should report those and to whom. 01:10:58.020 --> 01:10:59.789 And that goes back to who you're going to have 01:10:59.789 --> 01:11:03.726 be the face of this in your churches, 01:11:03.726 --> 01:11:06.162 your places of worship, who's going to own it? 01:11:06.162 --> 01:11:08.564 And then you can have one person that can kind of filter that 01:11:08.564 --> 01:11:10.099 and understand where it goes. 01:11:10.099 --> 01:11:12.835 You're not going to teach all your parishioners 01:11:12.835 --> 01:11:14.237 where these things go. 01:11:14.237 --> 01:11:15.738 But if you have someone that they can go to 01:11:15.738 --> 01:11:17.507 or a committee that they can go to 01:11:17.507 --> 01:11:19.675 then you can actually govern that a little bit better 01:11:19.675 --> 01:11:21.878 and direct it the proper ways. 01:11:21.878 --> 01:11:23.946 So that's kind of the thing that I would say is 01:11:23.946 --> 01:11:26.983 if in doubt, report it. 01:11:26.983 --> 01:11:30.920 And then we can grow from there by teaching 01:11:30.920 --> 01:11:33.890 what is really actionable and what is not. 01:11:35.691 --> 01:11:37.026 I hope that answers your question. 01:11:37.026 --> 01:11:38.728 I had another thought but it left me. 01:11:38.728 --> 01:11:41.364 >>No, it does and I think that that's a little bit of what 01:11:41.364 --> 01:11:43.933 we often see as a barrier or a challenge, right, 01:11:43.933 --> 01:11:45.434 is people don't know what to report 01:11:45.434 --> 01:11:47.670 and I appreciate you giving some context 01:11:47.670 --> 01:11:49.572 that it's okay to start as you're starting with 01:11:49.572 --> 01:11:53.009 any relationship that when in doubt to report something 01:11:53.009 --> 01:11:54.911 that you see, somebody left a bag, somebody, 01:11:54.911 --> 01:11:58.581 and sometimes it is just benign things that happen. 01:11:58.581 --> 01:12:00.650 But you build a relationship over time. 01:12:00.650 --> 01:12:02.852 >>But Marcus one thing that I was going to say though 01:12:02.852 --> 01:12:05.121 and now you just reminded me 01:12:05.121 --> 01:12:07.023 the time to build those relationships 01:12:07.023 --> 01:12:09.192 are not when that bag is left. 01:12:09.192 --> 01:12:11.494 Build those relationships now. 01:12:11.494 --> 01:12:12.662 >>Absolutely. 01:12:12.662 --> 01:12:14.230 >>So that when you start sharing information 01:12:14.230 --> 01:12:15.898 you've already got that built. 01:12:15.898 --> 01:12:17.800 >>Makes total sense. 01:12:17.800 --> 01:12:22.305 So John for you in terms of building that relationship 01:12:22.305 --> 01:12:24.941 now what are some of the initial conversations 01:12:24.941 --> 01:12:28.444 that you see that have worked well for communities 01:12:28.444 --> 01:12:31.380 to have either with one another or conversations 01:12:31.380 --> 01:12:33.382 that they have with local governments 01:12:33.382 --> 01:12:35.184 our state governments about? 01:12:35.184 --> 01:12:36.385 Just what kind of relationship 01:12:36.385 --> 01:12:39.155 and how often people communicate and what they share. 01:12:39.155 --> 01:12:40.823 And maybe his is something that's been played out in the 01:12:40.823 --> 01:12:42.091 IPAG in some of the work that 01:12:42.091 --> 01:12:43.659 you've all been able to get done. 01:12:43.659 --> 01:12:46.262 >>Sure, and I'll also address the Fusion Center point 01:12:46.262 --> 01:12:47.496 that Salam brought up, 01:12:47.496 --> 01:12:49.432 because there are 80 Fusion Centers around the country 01:12:49.432 --> 01:12:50.900 and most folks unless you work in one 01:12:50.900 --> 01:12:52.368 you really don't know what they do. 01:12:52.368 --> 01:12:53.903 So I'll address that in a minute, 01:12:53.903 --> 01:12:55.938 but I'll get to the first question. 01:12:55.938 --> 01:12:59.508 In D.C. there's some really good networks of faith communities 01:12:59.508 --> 01:13:01.177 outside of the IPAC. 01:13:01.177 --> 01:13:03.212 Our Jewish community has a really good network. 01:13:03.212 --> 01:13:05.381 They use social media and texting. 01:13:05.381 --> 01:13:08.985 So if they have an incident or an individual who makes the 01:13:08.985 --> 01:13:11.888 rounds to one synagogue to the next, 01:13:11.888 --> 01:13:13.089 they're able to communicate 01:13:13.089 --> 01:13:15.758 that to each other through their security advisors 01:13:15.758 --> 01:13:18.995 and directors, so they can keep an eye, 01:13:18.995 --> 01:13:20.630 did that individual also go to your synagogue 01:13:20.630 --> 01:13:23.399 and your house of worship and make the rounds? 01:13:23.399 --> 01:13:27.270 So there are those informal ways of communicating amongst 01:13:27.270 --> 01:13:28.738 faith leaders in the neighborhood. 01:13:28.738 --> 01:13:31.274 With IPAC we have three representatives, 01:13:31.274 --> 01:13:33.476 myself and a captain on MPD 01:13:33.476 --> 01:13:36.279 and the Director of Religious Affairs 01:13:36.279 --> 01:13:37.380 in the Mayor's Office. 01:13:37.380 --> 01:13:40.583 And the three of us make the rounds to our IPAC members 01:13:40.583 --> 01:13:43.152 and so when something is a little off on their radar 01:13:43.152 --> 01:13:45.554 they'll reach out to one of the three of us. 01:13:45.554 --> 01:13:47.623 Last year around election time 01:13:47.623 --> 01:13:50.159 there were many incidents happening across the District; 01:13:50.159 --> 01:13:54.263 we had lots of First Amendment event over the course of 2020. 01:13:54.263 --> 01:13:57.300 On December 12th we had four houses of worship in D.C. 01:13:57.300 --> 01:14:00.069 that demonstrators had vandalized. 01:14:00.069 --> 01:14:01.470 And so we were able to communicate that out 01:14:01.470 --> 01:14:02.972 to other houses of worship 01:14:02.972 --> 01:14:06.709 to see if any of their signs or front entrances 01:14:06.709 --> 01:14:09.578 were vandalized by some of the groups who are coming 01:14:09.578 --> 01:14:12.648 and exercising their First Amendment rights. 01:14:12.648 --> 01:14:15.151 After December 12th we knew that many of these groups were 01:14:15.151 --> 01:14:17.153 going to be coming back to the District 01:14:17.153 --> 01:14:19.989 the beginning of January, on January 5th and 6th. 01:14:19.989 --> 01:14:22.224 And so we held a call with all of our IPAC members 01:14:22.224 --> 01:14:24.026 on January 4th. 01:14:24.026 --> 01:14:28.597 And we briefed them on what we saw coming on January 6th. 01:14:28.597 --> 01:14:29.699 We were honestly worried 01:14:29.699 --> 01:14:31.500 internally of a lot of this energy 01:14:31.500 --> 01:14:33.736 and the demonstrators that were coming to the District 01:14:33.736 --> 01:14:38.007 that they would get to the mall and hit some hardened targets 01:14:38.007 --> 01:14:41.010 and then go out to the community and hit those softer targets. 01:14:41.010 --> 01:14:42.978 And so we really briefed the faith community 01:14:42.978 --> 01:14:45.448 and some of those softer targets 01:14:45.448 --> 01:14:50.419 and many of them closed on the 6th and kept staff at home, 01:14:50.419 --> 01:14:52.588 because we were nervous about all that energy 01:14:52.588 --> 01:14:54.924 coming to the District and then hitting those soft targets. 01:14:54.924 --> 01:14:56.359 And so that was something where 01:14:56.359 --> 01:14:59.995 because of that information sharing amongst the IPAC leaders 01:14:59.995 --> 01:15:03.366 and the faith community we were able to really capture 01:15:03.366 --> 01:15:04.900 kind of where some of these groups had gone 01:15:04.900 --> 01:15:07.737 in the past for past demonstrations and share that 01:15:07.737 --> 01:15:10.773 to the broader audience of the District. 01:15:10.773 --> 01:15:13.609 We started a program here in D.C. through a grant 01:15:13.609 --> 01:15:17.780 that we got through the TVTP program at DHS. 01:15:17.780 --> 01:15:21.217 It was an application that we were awarded in 2020 to start an 01:15:21.217 --> 01:15:24.787 online training module around terrorism prevention 01:15:24.787 --> 01:15:26.322 and targeted violence. 01:15:26.322 --> 01:15:28.357 And those words sound really kind of horrifying 01:15:28.357 --> 01:15:29.959 to the average listener, 01:15:29.959 --> 01:15:32.328 but it's really looking at the pathway to violence 01:15:32.328 --> 01:15:35.297 and what someone looks like when they're on that pathway. 01:15:35.297 --> 01:15:39.502 Some of those identifiers and precursors that both the 01:15:39.502 --> 01:15:43.305 community and public safety stakeholders that we want 01:15:43.305 --> 01:15:45.708 to be on their radar and also how to report it. 01:15:45.708 --> 01:15:47.476 So whether you're a police officer, 01:15:47.476 --> 01:15:50.846 a fire or EMS worker or a correctional staff, 01:15:50.846 --> 01:15:53.315 if you see someone who's on that pathway to violence 01:15:53.315 --> 01:15:55.718 ways that you can report it up your agency, 01:15:55.718 --> 01:15:58.320 and also if you're a faith member or a community member 01:15:58.320 --> 01:16:00.723 how you can report that. 01:16:00.723 --> 01:16:03.325 And I'll come back to the Fusion Centers with Salam, 01:16:03.325 --> 01:16:05.227 every state has a Fusion Center 01:16:05.227 --> 01:16:08.264 and they have what they call suspicious activity reporting. 01:16:08.264 --> 01:16:09.865 SARs. 01:16:09.865 --> 01:16:11.767 The majority of our Fusion Centers are housed 01:16:11.767 --> 01:16:13.602 within our state police departments. 01:16:13.602 --> 01:16:16.772 In D.C. it's housed within our Homeland Security Emergency 01:16:16.772 --> 01:16:18.207 Management Agency. 01:16:18.207 --> 01:16:20.910 There are a handful of other Fusion Centers that are not 01:16:20.910 --> 01:16:22.511 in law enforcement agencies. 01:16:22.511 --> 01:16:25.915 But all of them have suspicious activity reporting. 01:16:25.915 --> 01:16:29.885 And you can go into a portal, it's online. 01:16:29.885 --> 01:16:34.256 If you look that up I'll drop some of the resources 01:16:34.256 --> 01:16:38.294 in the chat, on how you can report SARs. 01:16:38.294 --> 01:16:40.429 To Todd's point if you feel a little on edge 01:16:40.429 --> 01:16:41.964 about what to report, 01:16:41.964 --> 01:16:44.300 chances are you should go ahead and drop that in. 01:16:44.300 --> 01:16:46.368 It's not going to be put in some large database 01:16:46.368 --> 01:16:47.903 that Fusion Centers track, 01:16:47.903 --> 01:16:49.805 but it will be shared with local law enforcement 01:16:49.805 --> 01:16:52.107 for them to see if there's a threat or not. 01:16:52.107 --> 01:16:54.877 And if it's not deemed a threat they'll pass it on 01:16:54.877 --> 01:16:57.513 back to the originating source 01:16:57.513 --> 01:17:00.716 or perhaps to the Department of Behavioral Health. 01:17:00.716 --> 01:17:02.218 And that's something we're building in the District 01:17:02.218 --> 01:17:04.053 is a Threat Assessment Center. 01:17:04.053 --> 01:17:06.422 And so were going to take those threats whether they come from 01:17:06.422 --> 01:17:09.058 a school or from the faith community 01:17:09.058 --> 01:17:10.726 and then wrap a team of support 01:17:10.726 --> 01:17:13.062 around the individual who that threat 01:17:13.062 --> 01:17:15.264 might be originating from. 01:17:15.264 --> 01:17:18.100 >>Thank you for that John and I dropped in the chat for folks 01:17:18.100 --> 01:17:20.269 a link to the Fusion Center information 01:17:20.269 --> 01:17:23.339 and the nationwide SAR initiative as well. 01:17:23.339 --> 01:17:26.675 Michael, recommendations or perspectives from your work 01:17:26.675 --> 01:17:29.545 and your experience. 01:17:29.545 --> 01:17:33.482 >>I think that mostly everything has been covered. 01:17:33.482 --> 01:17:37.286 I think that it's a question of reaching out 01:17:37.286 --> 01:17:39.688 and engaging in those relationships, 01:17:39.688 --> 01:17:42.858 building the relationship of trust that exists. 01:17:42.858 --> 01:17:45.794 Our community has been particularly attuned 01:17:45.794 --> 01:17:51.333 to the value of instant reporting specifically. 01:17:51.333 --> 01:17:54.537 When we create a professional community wide security program 01:17:54.537 --> 01:17:56.972 we generally see an increase in instant reporting 01:17:56.972 --> 01:17:59.742 by about 78 to 80 percent. 01:17:59.742 --> 01:18:03.145 That's not to suggest there's 78 or 80 percent more incidents, 01:18:03.145 --> 01:18:04.313 it means that we're getting much better 01:18:04.313 --> 01:18:05.948 at educating the community, 01:18:05.948 --> 01:18:09.184 if they see something to say something. 01:18:09.184 --> 01:18:12.054 And make sure that we're doing that holistically. 01:18:12.054 --> 01:18:14.323 I think one point that I would make, 01:18:14.323 --> 01:18:16.225 we just know that these hate crimes 01:18:16.225 --> 01:18:20.629 and incidents are vastly under reported around our country. 01:18:20.629 --> 01:18:22.464 The number of religiously motivated hate crimes 01:18:22.464 --> 01:18:24.967 in the United States 01:18:24.967 --> 01:18:32.074 by the FBI numbers is well below two thousand. 01:18:32.074 --> 01:18:35.010 And we have 70 cities of populations of 100,000 01:18:35.010 --> 01:18:37.046 or more that report no hate crimes. 01:18:37.046 --> 01:18:40.215 I can guarantee that there's not any of one of us on this panel 01:18:40.215 --> 01:18:42.251 that believes that that's accurate reflection of what's 01:18:42.251 --> 01:18:45.921 going on in our communities or with our community members. 01:18:45.921 --> 01:18:48.891 And that means it's incumbent upon us to work 01:18:48.891 --> 01:18:52.094 to report those incidents, raise them. 01:18:52.094 --> 01:18:54.930 I know this is something that the FBI and the Director 01:18:54.930 --> 01:18:56.532 have commented about publicly 01:18:56.532 --> 01:18:59.602 and testified about the need for strong incident 01:18:59.602 --> 01:19:01.203 reporting at the local level 01:19:01.203 --> 01:19:02.838 and for local law enforcement agencies 01:19:02.838 --> 01:19:04.707 and prosecutors to take this seriously, 01:19:04.707 --> 01:19:07.576 I think that that comes to us as a community to do that 01:19:07.576 --> 01:19:11.513 and drive it forward and to Salam's point recognize 01:19:11.513 --> 01:19:13.382 that different communities receive 01:19:13.382 --> 01:19:15.384 these issues in very, very different ways 01:19:15.384 --> 01:19:16.919 and we have to be attentive to that 01:19:16.919 --> 01:19:21.757 and work together to overcome some of the past suspicions, 01:19:21.757 --> 01:19:23.859 past issues so that we can ensure 01:19:23.859 --> 01:19:25.494 that all of our houses of worship 01:19:25.494 --> 01:19:28.897 and community centers are protected. 01:19:28.897 --> 01:19:31.133 The Secretary said something at that conference 01:19:31.133 --> 01:19:34.236 that we were at last week. 01:19:34.236 --> 01:19:35.671 He made the observation, 01:19:35.671 --> 01:19:38.307 the circle of hate knows no circumference. 01:19:38.307 --> 01:19:42.578 And I think it is a really insightful observation, 01:19:42.578 --> 01:19:44.380 not surprisingly from the Secretary 01:19:44.380 --> 01:19:45.981 and certainly the leadership 01:19:45.981 --> 01:19:50.285 that he has demonstrated as has the Department in this issue. 01:19:50.285 --> 01:19:53.722 The only way we get around that circle is by working together. 01:19:53.722 --> 01:19:57.593 And I think forums like this are part of that. 01:19:57.593 --> 01:19:59.695 >>Absolutely. No, Michael I appreciate that 01:19:59.695 --> 01:20:03.632 and Kiran as we bring our session 01:20:03.632 --> 01:20:05.367 to a close I actually want to transition 01:20:05.367 --> 01:20:07.236 a bit to the civil rights 01:20:07.236 --> 01:20:09.204 and civil liberties perspective 01:20:09.204 --> 01:20:11.240 and the perspective that you bring from the 01:20:11.240 --> 01:20:15.577 Legal Defense Fund in terms of as a member of SALDEF. 01:20:15.577 --> 01:20:18.013 What are some recommendations that you would have? 01:20:18.013 --> 01:20:21.984 So we know that, right, building trust is hard work. 01:20:21.984 --> 01:20:23.686 It takes a lot of consistency. 01:20:23.686 --> 01:20:25.954 It takes a lot of empathy, understanding, 01:20:25.954 --> 01:20:27.990 and, of course, it ebbs and flows, right? 01:20:27.990 --> 01:20:30.959 So we know that things happen. 01:20:30.959 --> 01:20:34.730 What recommendations or what thoughts would you give? 01:20:34.730 --> 01:20:36.098 Let's say we have a collection, 01:20:36.098 --> 01:20:38.167 and I'm sure some of these folks are on the line, 01:20:38.167 --> 01:20:39.702 you have local law enforcement, 01:20:39.702 --> 01:20:40.936 you have some of the local folks 01:20:40.936 --> 01:20:42.838 that are on the government side that want to 01:20:42.838 --> 01:20:45.474 take steps towards building trust with not just faith 01:20:45.474 --> 01:20:48.377 based leaders but community organizations as well. 01:20:48.377 --> 01:20:50.679 What are some recommendations you have for 01:20:50.679 --> 01:20:51.980 some of our local government partners 01:20:51.980 --> 01:20:55.150 on the call that want to take steps towards building 01:20:55.150 --> 01:20:58.520 a healthy relationship and working through issues 01:20:58.520 --> 01:20:59.722 as it relates to civil rights 01:20:59.722 --> 01:21:02.858 and civil liberties from SALDEF's perspective? 01:21:02.858 --> 01:21:05.694 >>Sure. I think one of the ways as I mentioned, 01:21:05.694 --> 01:21:07.162 I think the Know Your Rights forums 01:21:07.162 --> 01:21:09.865 are a great opportunity to get to come 01:21:09.865 --> 01:21:13.035 to our house of worship and meet with our community members. 01:21:13.035 --> 01:21:16.271 I think that goes a long way to come into our spaces of worship. 01:21:16.271 --> 01:21:20.209 I've even conducted training in our houses of worship. 01:21:20.209 --> 01:21:22.845 There are certain cultural norms, 01:21:22.845 --> 01:21:25.380 there are certain things that one would do, 01:21:25.380 --> 01:21:27.716 obviously in a non-emergency situation, 01:21:27.716 --> 01:21:30.119 things like covering your head, taking off your shoes, 01:21:30.119 --> 01:21:31.787 ways to greet people. 01:21:31.787 --> 01:21:33.589 So I think that's one thing. 01:21:33.589 --> 01:21:37.126 The second thing I think there needs to be education on, 01:21:37.126 --> 01:21:39.094 you know we talked about reporting. 01:21:39.094 --> 01:21:40.396 But I think people need to understand 01:21:40.396 --> 01:21:42.498 the life cycle of that and the importance of that. 01:21:42.498 --> 01:21:45.033 So somebody reports something, where does it go? 01:21:45.033 --> 01:21:46.135 What's the importance 01:21:46.135 --> 01:21:50.906 and what does that piece of information help to do? 01:21:50.906 --> 01:21:52.875 What does it help to illuminate? 01:21:52.875 --> 01:21:56.478 So I think that's a second piece that I would recommend. 01:21:56.478 --> 01:21:58.747 And a third piece, I just wanted to kind of, 01:21:58.747 --> 01:22:00.015 which wasn't really brought out 01:22:00.015 --> 01:22:02.551 in this conversation but I think it's important 01:22:02.551 --> 01:22:03.685 in our faith community 01:22:03.685 --> 01:22:07.089 and it could be applicable to other faith communities, 01:22:07.089 --> 01:22:09.024 in our faith community there's oftentimes 01:22:09.024 --> 01:22:10.659 language access issues. 01:22:10.659 --> 01:22:14.496 So we may have people that are in, 01:22:14.496 --> 01:22:16.298 you know, serve our religious leaders 01:22:16.298 --> 01:22:17.733 or somebody leading a service 01:22:17.733 --> 01:22:20.135 that may not be fluent in English. 01:22:20.135 --> 01:22:24.306 So having a security committee, having that relationship 01:22:24.306 --> 01:22:28.911 built in where somebody on the management committee 01:22:28.911 --> 01:22:31.413 is familiar with law enforcement 01:22:31.413 --> 01:22:33.081 and other emergency responders 01:22:33.081 --> 01:22:35.551 and connected to the Fusion Centers 01:22:35.551 --> 01:22:38.187 and interfaith initiatives 01:22:38.187 --> 01:22:40.122 is really important for our community. 01:22:40.122 --> 01:22:41.757 So I think those are three things 01:22:41.757 --> 01:22:44.760 I just wanted to point out. 01:22:44.760 --> 01:22:46.929 But I think to your first question 01:22:46.929 --> 01:22:49.731 I think really coming into our spaces of worship, 01:22:49.731 --> 01:22:52.901 even if somebody isn't fluent in English 01:22:52.901 --> 01:22:59.074 they may feel that extra step of reporting 01:22:59.074 --> 01:23:01.276 there's sort of an additional barrier. 01:23:01.276 --> 01:23:04.713 I think seeing people in those spaces 01:23:04.713 --> 01:23:09.918 and sort of adhering to cultural norms 01:23:09.918 --> 01:23:12.387 and making an effort is really important. 01:23:12.387 --> 01:23:15.224 So those would be some of my recommendations. 01:23:19.194 --> 01:23:21.964 >>That's excellent. Thank you for sharing that. 01:23:21.964 --> 01:23:25.500 So I know we're coming to the close of our session 01:23:25.500 --> 01:23:26.668 and so what I wanted to is 01:23:26.668 --> 01:23:29.137 we're going to do a round robin of a parting 01:23:29.137 --> 01:23:31.874 thought from each of our presenters. 01:23:31.874 --> 01:23:34.309 And presenters as you're thinking about 01:23:34.309 --> 01:23:36.545 your parting thought or parting word 01:23:36.545 --> 01:23:40.048 again I want to thank the Asian American Foundation 01:23:40.048 --> 01:23:42.451 and our colleagues at DHS, 01:23:42.451 --> 01:23:46.188 CP3 for hosting the Eighth Digital Forum 01:23:46.188 --> 01:23:49.291 and thank the more than I think it's about up to a hundred 01:23:49.291 --> 01:23:53.061 and some odd folks that have joined us 01:23:53.061 --> 01:23:55.697 for this particular session, 01:23:55.697 --> 01:23:57.399 so just parting thoughts for folks 01:23:57.399 --> 01:24:01.136 as we bring this session to a close. 01:24:01.136 --> 01:24:04.573 Feel free to share how they can continue to stay connected 01:24:04.573 --> 01:24:07.209 with you and your parting thoughts? 01:24:07.209 --> 01:24:09.111 Anything else that you want to leave for the audience 01:24:09.111 --> 01:24:12.648 as they think about where to take action from here. 01:24:12.648 --> 01:24:15.384 Looking at the order here we'll start with Salam 01:24:15.384 --> 01:24:17.352 for parting thoughts 01:24:17.352 --> 01:24:19.821 and then we'll continue to move through the panel. 01:24:19.821 --> 01:24:23.125 >>Yes, and I think in terms of building trust 01:24:23.125 --> 01:24:26.828 and partnerships roles 01:24:26.828 --> 01:24:32.768 and lanes are very important to demarcate. 01:24:32.768 --> 01:24:37.205 So where is a community leader 01:24:37.205 --> 01:24:41.310 and for lack of a better term have jurisdiction 01:24:41.310 --> 01:24:46.248 and when is it handed over to law enforcement, 01:24:46.248 --> 01:24:48.350 for example? 01:24:48.350 --> 01:24:51.320 Or vice versa, when is it a law enforcement matter 01:24:51.320 --> 01:24:53.121 not a community matter? 01:24:53.121 --> 01:24:54.890 And I think the issue of theology 01:24:54.890 --> 01:24:57.426 and faith based community, 01:24:57.426 --> 01:25:00.028 dynamics versus criminal justice, 01:25:00.028 --> 01:25:02.164 I think we have to look at that 01:25:02.164 --> 01:25:06.134 and create clear lanes so that people feel 01:25:06.134 --> 01:25:10.205 more comfortable and they see that we are demonstrating that 01:25:10.205 --> 01:25:13.308 civil liberty is of utmost importance 01:25:13.308 --> 01:25:15.978 in applying any of these policies. 01:25:15.978 --> 01:25:19.214 Also, we say that we're using a public health approach 01:25:19.214 --> 01:25:20.949 which I think is great, 01:25:20.949 --> 01:25:23.385 because this is exactly what we were recommending 01:25:23.385 --> 01:25:29.358 seven years ago and I'm glad that we're there now. 01:25:29.358 --> 01:25:31.293 Yes, through our Safe Spaces initiatives, 01:25:31.293 --> 01:25:34.363 thank you Marcus for showing that. 01:25:34.363 --> 01:25:41.870 And so where does HHS come in and not DHS? 01:25:41.870 --> 01:25:45.841 How do we leverage Health and Human Services 01:25:45.841 --> 01:25:49.978 and the various important local mental health, 01:25:49.978 --> 01:25:54.950 public health agencies in this work 01:25:54.950 --> 01:26:00.088 and let them have a role in these communities? 01:26:00.088 --> 01:26:05.861 I think these are some of the questions that we have to have 01:26:05.861 --> 01:26:09.331 a conversation on in the near future. 01:26:09.331 --> 01:26:14.069 >>Excellent. Thank you very much for those parting thoughts. 01:26:14.069 --> 01:26:15.937 And, yes, I dropped one of the efforts. 01:26:15.937 --> 01:26:18.340 There's a lot of great resources on the 01:26:18.340 --> 01:26:19.941 Muslim Public Affairs Council 01:26:19.941 --> 01:26:22.144 as well as all the websites that we provided. 01:26:22.144 --> 01:26:24.012 Todd, over to you. 01:26:24.012 --> 01:26:26.581 What parting thoughts would you have for our audience today? 01:26:26.581 --> 01:26:30.152 >>You know we shared a lot of information with DHS in the past 01:26:30.152 --> 01:26:31.553 and enjoyed the partnership there. 01:26:31.553 --> 01:26:33.889 And so most of our security thoughts 01:26:33.889 --> 01:26:35.624 we've worked with you on as well. 01:26:35.624 --> 01:26:38.860 And they can get, anybody can get a lot of information 01:26:38.860 --> 01:26:41.063 by reaching out to DHS. 01:26:41.063 --> 01:26:45.634 My final thoughts is just start, do something, start somewhere. 01:26:45.634 --> 01:26:49.504 The only way you can start eating that elephant is start. 01:26:49.504 --> 01:26:51.306 And so start somewhere with the security thing 01:26:51.306 --> 01:26:53.308 that you can tackle and make it easy. 01:26:53.308 --> 01:26:56.978 And just for all of us the only way we're really going to 01:26:56.978 --> 01:27:00.082 kind of make a change 01:27:00.082 --> 01:27:03.585 is start seeing ourselves as part of this global family 01:27:03.585 --> 01:27:05.353 and each other as brothers and sisters 01:27:05.353 --> 01:27:08.557 and seeing people as human 01:27:08.557 --> 01:27:10.325 and brothers and sisters of a family 01:27:10.325 --> 01:27:12.994 and I think that will, that's the biggest thing. 01:27:12.994 --> 01:27:14.262 I know that's an easy answer to say love, 01:27:14.262 --> 01:27:16.331 but that's where it's at. 01:27:16.331 --> 01:27:18.834 >>Amen. Love, it's not about it being easy, 01:27:18.834 --> 01:27:20.602 that's the hardest thing to do sometimes. 01:27:20.602 --> 01:27:25.707 So I appreciate you centering us on that for sure. 01:27:25.707 --> 01:27:28.176 John, what about yourself, man, parting thoughts or 01:27:28.176 --> 01:27:32.114 recommendations for folks as we bring the session to a close? 01:27:32.114 --> 01:27:33.081 >>Sure. Thanks, Marcus 01:27:33.081 --> 01:27:34.516 and thanks again for the time to share today 01:27:34.516 --> 01:27:35.951 with everyone who's still on the call. 01:27:35.951 --> 01:27:38.420 I'll echo Salam's last word. 01:27:38.420 --> 01:27:41.323 I really think that for us in the district 01:27:41.323 --> 01:27:43.191 bringing our Department of Behavioral Health 01:27:43.191 --> 01:27:45.861 into our equation with our Threat Assessment Center 01:27:45.861 --> 01:27:48.196 and bringing the faith community into that equation 01:27:48.196 --> 01:27:51.399 as well to get resources to those who we identify 01:27:51.399 --> 01:27:52.934 that are on that pathway to violence 01:27:52.934 --> 01:27:55.370 I think is a future story 01:27:55.370 --> 01:27:58.373 that we need to continue to talk about and tell. 01:27:58.373 --> 01:28:02.110 And my last parting word is keep your doors open and your arms 01:28:02.110 --> 01:28:04.780 wide open to new congregants coming into your 01:28:04.780 --> 01:28:07.883 houses of worship, just train your ushers really well. 01:28:07.883 --> 01:28:11.820 And I'll end with that and pass it to Michael. 01:28:11.820 --> 01:28:13.889 >>Alright. So Michael, 01:28:13.889 --> 01:28:15.624 yes, parting thoughts from you as, 01:28:15.624 --> 01:28:17.259 and what I'll drop in the chat 01:28:17.259 --> 01:28:18.460 when we talk about translations 01:28:18.460 --> 01:28:19.895 and different languages. 01:28:19.895 --> 01:28:23.999 There's the powerful training or resource that we shared 01:28:23.999 --> 01:28:26.902 is actually translated in multiple languages 01:28:26.902 --> 01:28:28.236 and so I'll drop that in the chat. 01:28:28.236 --> 01:28:30.071 But, Michael, parting thought from you? 01:28:30.071 --> 01:28:31.973 >>Commit to action. 01:28:31.973 --> 01:28:35.010 That was the message that the Community Security Director, 01:28:35.010 --> 01:28:36.945 Brad Orsini [phonetic] when he, 01:28:36.945 --> 01:28:38.680 you know, in the year and a half before the attack 01:28:38.680 --> 01:28:40.015 happened three years ago, 01:28:40.015 --> 01:28:41.883 he trained over six thousand members of the 01:28:41.883 --> 01:28:44.519 Pittsburgh community to include 01:28:44.519 --> 01:28:48.123 being in that facility less than eight weeks before the attack. 01:28:48.123 --> 01:28:50.091 And the training that he did that day, 01:28:50.091 --> 01:28:53.528 the work he did made sure that emergency exits were clear, 01:28:53.528 --> 01:28:55.030 made sure that that somebody had a cell phone 01:28:55.030 --> 01:28:56.831 that they could call 911, 01:28:56.831 --> 01:28:57.966 and made sure that 01:28:57.966 --> 01:28:59.301 people went through active threat, 01:28:59.301 --> 01:29:00.835 active shooter training. 01:29:00.835 --> 01:29:03.038 And it all started with committing to action. 01:29:03.038 --> 01:29:05.073 And we know that that saved people's lives. 01:29:05.073 --> 01:29:08.944 And that investment of time that little bit of training 01:29:08.944 --> 01:29:10.078 doesn't cost a lot 01:29:10.078 --> 01:29:12.147 and it can save your life at the end of the day. 01:29:12.147 --> 01:29:15.083 So just to echo what Todd said about starting, 01:29:15.083 --> 01:29:16.651 just commit to action 01:29:16.651 --> 01:29:20.989 and we'll get there, all of us together through that. 01:29:20.989 --> 01:29:22.591 >>Absolutely. Many thanks, absolutely. 01:29:22.591 --> 01:29:25.160 And Kiran we'll give you the last word, 01:29:25.160 --> 01:29:26.995 parting thoughts for the audience. 01:29:26.995 --> 01:29:28.763 >>Sure. I just want to say 01:29:28.763 --> 01:29:32.901 I'm sure for many of you that this is a topic you're new to. 01:29:32.901 --> 01:29:34.135 It can be overwhelming. 01:29:34.135 --> 01:29:37.105 There's a number of different departments, agencies. 01:29:37.105 --> 01:29:39.341 We talked about Fusion Centers. 01:29:39.341 --> 01:29:43.445 So I just wanted to echo some of my fellow panelists. 01:29:43.445 --> 01:29:45.146 We have resources. 01:29:45.146 --> 01:29:47.249 Feel free to reach out, certainly to SALDEF 01:29:47.249 --> 01:29:49.551 and I'm sure my other panelists 01:29:49.551 --> 01:29:51.453 have resources as well if you don't know 01:29:51.453 --> 01:29:53.188 where to start. 01:29:53.188 --> 01:29:55.457 Communities have been through this before, 01:29:55.457 --> 01:29:56.858 you know, houses of worship 01:29:56.858 --> 01:30:00.262 unfortunately have had to deal with this across the country, 01:30:00.262 --> 01:30:03.999 so there are steps to take and there's resources 01:30:03.999 --> 01:30:05.433 that have been compiled out there. 01:30:05.433 --> 01:30:08.703 So just feel free to reach out and we're happy to help. 01:30:08.703 --> 01:30:09.804 >>Absolutely. 01:30:09.804 --> 01:30:11.940 Alright and with that I want to leave one more resource, 01:30:11.940 --> 01:30:14.075 so the Center for Faith-Based Neighborhood Partnerships 01:30:14.075 --> 01:30:17.078 has curated a lot of the federal government resources 01:30:17.078 --> 01:30:18.213 in one place 01:30:18.213 --> 01:30:19.814 and I wanted to leave that link for you all. 01:30:19.814 --> 01:30:23.685 Again, thank you all very much for joining our panel today. 01:30:23.685 --> 01:30:27.589 And I'll pass it back over to Holly. 01:30:27.589 --> 01:30:29.257 >>Thank you so much. 01:30:29.257 --> 01:30:30.859 Thank you to all of our panelists. 01:30:30.859 --> 01:30:33.228 It was a really great discussion with practical steps 01:30:33.228 --> 01:30:36.097 and tools that people can use. 01:30:36.097 --> 01:30:38.833 And it's so important because so often we can talk about 01:30:38.833 --> 01:30:40.769 these things and it can feel insurmountable. 01:30:40.769 --> 01:30:43.471 So thank you to our panelists for giving tangible, 01:30:43.471 --> 01:30:45.473 concrete things that we can be doing, 01:30:45.473 --> 01:30:48.043 really appreciate your time today. 01:30:48.043 --> 01:30:51.680 So we're going to take a quick break until two o'clock 01:30:51.680 --> 01:30:53.415 and at two o'clock we're going to start our 01:30:53.415 --> 01:30:58.486 last panel of the two day conference. 01:30:58.486 --> 01:31:02.090 This panel is going to be on Moving Past the CDE Era: 01:31:02.090 --> 01:31:05.126 The New National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism. 01:31:05.126 --> 01:31:06.828 I think this is an excellent bookend 01:31:06.828 --> 01:31:08.496 to all of the conversations 01:31:08.496 --> 01:31:10.398 that we've been having about how we're really 01:31:10.398 --> 01:31:13.468 moving into a productive future based on 01:31:13.468 --> 01:31:15.770 a whole of society public health approach. 01:31:15.770 --> 01:31:20.342 So we look forward to hosting you again in about 29 minutes. 01:31:20.342 --> 01:31:23.812 Get some coffee, get some tea or a snack 01:31:23.812 --> 01:31:25.380 and we'll see you back very soon. 01:31:25.380 --> 01:31:26.348 Thank you so much.