A group of concerned citizens from Adams, Dauphin, Franklin, and York counties, Uniting to prevent targeted violence, will hold meetings over the next 18 months to discuss and seek ways to reduce targeted violence.
The group is seeking citizen members to be involved in its work.
Targeted violence refers to violence that is premeditated and directed at specific individuals, groups, or locations. Perpetrators select their targets to achieve specific motives, such as the resolution of a grievance or to make a political or ideological statement. The violence follows ideologicial, generational, religious, racial, and cultural divides.
“Target violence is based on perceived identity,” said Adams County program coordinator Chad Collie. “The goal is to build a strong group that can work at mitigating targeted violence.”
“If we get real about it we’ve had some close calls,” said Collie. “The Ku Klux Klan has campaigned in GBG; Black Lives Matter has been on the Gettysburg Square. I hope and pray that we don’t see violence in this region again. But it could very well happen. We never know where things can pop up. Our goal is to reduce risks by helping people understand.”
The group will include a mix of liberal and conservative participants from each county, partnering with local organizations including Mediation Services of Adams County.
Collie said the group has “a common focus to work with people who have very different opinions and perspectives,” and that the focus would be on building relationships, planning for action, communication, and taking action.
“It doesn’t take a lot to build a group of people if you start with a group who want to make a difference,” said Collie.
If you are interested in joining this project or have questions or want more information you may:
- Check out our FAQ!
- Attend an Information Session on Zoom on November 17 @ 5:30 pm ET and/or December 8 @ 5:30 pm ET (email our Chief of Staff, Logan Grubb, at logan@uraction.org for a meeting invitation and Zoom link), and/or
- Email your program questions to our Chief of Staff, Logan Grubb, at logan@uraction.org.
The project is funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships.