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FBI
Attorney
General Holder Announces Pilot Program to Counter Violent Extremists
WASHINGTON—Attorney General Eric Holder announced Monday that the
Justice Department will launch a new series of pilot programs in cities
across the country to bring together community representatives, public
safety officials and religious leaders to counter violent extremism.
The new programs will be run in partnership with the White House, the
Department of Homeland Security, and the National Counterterrorism
Center.
“Today, few threats are more urgent than the threat posed by violent
extremism,” Attorney General said in a video message posted on the
Justice Department’s website. “And with the emergence of groups like
ISIL, and the knowledge that some Americans are attempting to travel to
countries like Syria and Iraq to take part in ongoing conflicts, the
Justice Department is responding appropriately.”
The complete text of the Attorney General’s video message is below:
“Last week, millions of Americans paused to mark the 13th anniversary
of the attacks of September 11, 2001—the deadliest acts of terror ever
carried out on American soil. For my colleagues at every level of our
nation’s Department of Justice, and for me, this anniversary was also a
solemn reminder of our most important obligation: to ensure America’s
national security and protect the American people from a range of
evolving threats.
“Today, few threats are more urgent than the threat posed by violent
extremism. And with the emergence of groups like ISIL, and the
knowledge that some Americans are attempting to travel to countries
like Syria and Iraq to take part in ongoing conflicts, the Justice
Department is responding appropriately.
“Through law enforcement agencies like the FBI, American authorities
are working with our international partners and Interpol to disseminate
information on foreign fighters in Syria and Iraq, including
individuals who have traveled from the United States. We have
established processes for detecting American extremists who attempt to
join terror groups abroad. And we have engaged in extensive outreach to
communities here in the U.S.—so we can work with them to identify
threats before they emerge, to disrupt homegrown terrorists, and to
apprehend would-be violent extremists. But we can—and we must—do even
more.
“Today, I am announcing that the Department of Justice is partnering
with the White House, the Department of Homeland Security, and the
National Counterterrorism Center to launch a new series of pilot
programs in cities across the nation. These programs will bring
together community representatives, public safety officials, religious
leaders, and United States Attorneys to improve local engagement; to
counter violent extremism; and—ultimately—to build a broad network of
community partnerships to keep our nation safe. Under President Obama’s
leadership, along with our interagency affiliates, we will work closely
with community representatives to develop comprehensive local
strategies, to raise awareness about important issues, to share
information on best practices, and to expand and improve training in
every area of the country.
“Already, since 2012, our U.S. Attorneys have held or attended more
than 1,700 engagement-related events or meetings to enhance trust and
facilitate communication in their neighborhoods and districts. This
innovative new pilot initiative will build on that important work. And
the White House will be hosting a Countering Violent Extremism summit
in October to highlight these and other domestic and international
efforts. Ultimately, the pilot programs will enable us to develop more
effective—and more inclusive—ways to help build the more just, secure,
and free society that all Americans deserve.
“As we move forward together, our work must continue to be guided by
the core democratic values—and the ideals of freedom, openness, and
inclusion—that have always set this nation apart on the world stage. We
must be both innovative and aggressive in countering violent extremism
and combating those who would sow intolerance, division, and hate—not
just within our borders, but with our international partners on a
global scale. And we must never lose sight of what violent extremists
fear the most: the strength of our communities; our unwavering respect
for equality, civil rights, and civil liberties; and our enduring
commitment to justice, democracy, and the rule of law.”
The full video of the Attorney General’s message is available at
http://www.justice.gov/agwa.php.
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