CAH Participates in U.S. Mayoral Retreat to Address Growing Threats of Violence

 

The Strong Cities Network North American Hub organized its first retreat for mayors and other city leaders from the United States in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary where the Collaboratory Against Hate's executive director, Susan Baida was a keynote speaker. The event, titled “Mayoral & City Leadership Against Hate, Extremism & Polarisation: Putting Communities First,” took place from August 6 to 8, 2024. It brought together over 70 mayors and city leaders, along with representatives from community-based organizations and other institutions in Pittsburgh, to share and learn about approaches and innovations needed to maintain social cohesion and enhance community resilience amid rising levels of hate and polarization.

The retreat also marked the official launch of the Strong Cities North America Regional Hub and provided a platform for city officials and local practitioners to discuss pressing issues affecting communities across the country. Key topics included addressing the growing threat of online to offline hate impacting social cohesion and targeting elected officials, the role of faith leaders and interfaith cooperation in city-led prevention and response, balancing free speech and public safety related to local impacts of global crises, city-led strategic communication in crisis response and recovery, and how civility and compassion can counter hate, extremism, and polarization in the lead-up to the 2024 USA presidential election.

Cities represented at the retreat included Albuquerque (NM), Athens (OH), Atlanta (GA), Chattanooga (TN), Chicago (IL), Columbus (OH), Forest Park (IL), Highland Park (IL), Hoboken (NJ), Houston (TX), Kinston (NC), Los Angeles (CA), Louisville (KY), New York (NY), Newark (NJ), Overland Park (KS), Philadelphia (PA), Pittsburgh (PA), and Rochester (NY). Partners represented included Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College of Information Systems and Public Policy, Eradicate Hate Global Summit, Muhammad Ali Center, National League of Cities, Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation, and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Other organizations represented included the Allegheny Conference, Center for Applied Research on Targeted Violence (formerly Collaboratory Against Hate), Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania, Common Ground USA, Institute for Strategic Dialogue, Jewish Community Center of Greater Pittsburgh, Light Initiative, Mediators Beyond Borders International, Not in Our Town, One World Strong Foundation, Pittsburgh Center of Interfaith Cooperation, The Andy Warhol Museum, The Hear Foundation, Tree of Life Inc., University of Pittsburgh, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), United States Department of Homeland Security, Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships, United States Department of Justice, and Violence Prevention Network USA, INC.