Holder upping local involvement in anti-terror fight
Attorney General Eric Holder says the Justice Department is launching a broad initiative to have local officials and community leaders play a bigger role in the battle against violent extremists -- such as ISIS.
"Today," Holder said in a video released Monday morning, "few threats are more urgent than the threat posed by violent extremism. And with the emergence of groups like ISIL (the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) (also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or 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."
Holder said the department is teaming with the White House, the Department of Homeland Security and the National Counterterrorism Center to launch urban pilot programs designed to bring together community representatives, public safety officials, religious leaders, and United States Attorneys to "improve local engagement ... counter violent extremism ... and - ultimately - to build a broad network of community partnerships to keep our nation safe."
Holder said they'll all try 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."
He also announced that the White House will be hosting a Countering Violent Extremism summit in October.
"Ultimately," Holder said, "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."
Holder cautioned that, "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."
Holder noted that, "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."