“Hate Crimes and Online Extremist Recruitment: Lessons from States and Cities at the Frontline”

February 25, 2020

WASHINGTON – On Thursday, Feb. 27, at Georgetown Law, current and former public officials will discuss state and local alternatives to stagnant federal action on addressing hate crimes and online extremist recruitment.

WHAT

Hate crimes and extremist recruitment are on the rise, with white supremacist groups fueling much of the growth. The distribution of white supremacist propaganda doubled from 2018 to 2019, according to the ADL and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security now considers right-wing domestic extremism on par with violent foreign extremism as a threat to the United States. Yet efforts to stiffen federal law and allocate federal resources remain stagnant, while online platforms have failed to halt recruitment on their sites.

Lack of federal action leaves states and cities at the frontlines of combatting violent demonstrations and attacks driven by racial and religious hatred in communities including Charlottesville, Richmond, Jersey City and San Diego. What tools do states and cities have? How do they work with vulnerable communities? How can lessons learned be shared with cities across the country?

Georgetown Law’s new Project on State and Local Government Policy and Law (SALPAL) will host a panel discussion featuring public officials at the center of the storm.

WHO

Karl A. Racine, Attorney General of the District of Columbia

Gurbir Grewal, Attorney General of New Jersey

Terry McAuliffe, Former Governor of Virginia, author of Beyond Charlottesville: Taking a Stand Against White Nationalism

Mary B. McCord, Legal Director, Georgetown Law’s Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection; former U.S. Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security

Meryl Chertoff (moderator), Executive Director, SALPAL

WHEN

Thursday, February 27, 2020
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Reception to follow.

WHERE

Georgetown Law
Gewirz Student Center – 12th Floor
120 F St NW
Washington, DC 20001

This event will also be live streamed on Georgetown Law’s Facebook page.

RSVP

Media can respond to: mediarelations@law.georgetown.edu