USC 2019 Homegrown Violent Extremism Digital Summit
The United States faces an immediate threat from homegrown violent extremism (HVE), and today, that threat increasingly stems from right-wing and white supremacist terrorism. Preventing attacks and enhancing public safety demands better insight into how individuals radicalize to violence, the impact on the victims and the pathway to escape extremism.
On November 8, 2019, the University of Southern California (USC) will present the USC Homegrown Violent Extremism Digital Summit.
HVE concerns every American, and to ensure all stakeholders have an opportunity to see the event, USC is presenting the summit exclusively online and at no cost. No RSVP or registration is required. Simply visit our homepage – sci.usc.edu – at 9 AM PT on November 8, and the summit will stream live on your device.
The summit will consist of three 45-minute panel discussions.
Read about the panelists
Honorary Summit Chair: Daryle Lamont Jenkins, Founder and Executive Director, One People’s Project
Panel 1 – Surviving Extremist Violence – 9 AM PT/12 PM ET
Victims and communities struggle with physical and psychological ramifications after an attack. The panel will feature participants who have survived extremist violence, as well as experts who can shed light on the challenges and needs they face.
Panelists:
- Moderator: Dr. LaVonna Lewis, PhD, Teaching Professor and Director of Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives at the USC Price School of Public Policy
- Cynthia Deitle, Programs and Operations Director, Matthew Shepard Foundation
- Josh Stepakoff, survivor of the 1999 white supremacist attack on the North Valley Jewish Community Center in Los Angeles
- Dr. Tony Beliz, Clinical and Forensic Psychologist
Panel 2 – Extremism and Digital Media – 10 AM PT/1 PM ET
Violent extremists increasingly use online forums to share hate, promote their ideology and even circulate videos of terrorist attacks. Experts on addressing online hate and radicalization will discuss the nexus between digital media and extremism, particularly with regard to white supremacy and right-wing ideologies.
Panelists:
- Moderator: Dr. Erroll Southers, Director, Safe Communities Institute
- Joanna Mendelson, Sr. Investigative Researcher, Anti-Defamation League Center on Extremism
- Rick Eaton, Sr. Researcher, Simon Wiesenthal Center
- Taylor Dumpson, Activist and Juris Doctor candidate
Panel 3 – The Path Out of Extremism – 11 AM PT/2 PM ET
As important as preventing terrorist attacks is drawing extremists away from hate and violence. Panelists will discuss the approaches and tools that can encourage adherents to disengage and reject their extremist ideology.
Panelists:
- Moderator: Dr. Peter Simi, PhD, Associate Professor at Chapman University
- Tony McAleer, Board Chair and co-founder of Life After Hate
- Sammy Rangel, Executive Director and co-founder of Life After Hate
