University of Dayton - Human Rights Center
Summary of Conclusions
Preventing and Responding to Political Violence, Extremism, and Hate in Ohio Background On November 16, 2021, the Human Rights Center at the University of Dayton hosted local, national, and international experts and stakeholders for a roundtable discussion entitled “preventing and responding to political violence, extremism and hate in Ohio”. Since the 2020 election and the January 6 attack on the United States Capitol, national and international experts have raised concern about increasing political violence in the United States, particularly by white supremacist or racially and ethnically motivated violent extremist groups. This event explored current trends in increased radicalization and the rise of racially and ethnically motivated violent extremist groups in Ohio, the United States, and globally.
Key Takeaways Ohio is ripe for prevention and response activities, particularly in communities, though current efforts are few and community engagement is nascent on these issues. Community based efforts should be highly contextualized and approach specific groups with a narrative that doesn’t alienate them. Finding common experiences and values with which to make initial connections, even if those at first seem unrelated to the ultimate goal of countering extremism, is critical to the success of those efforts. Further efforts to convene stakeholders, form partnerships, and build an evidence base for “what works” in preventing political and extremist violence are essential and urgent.
Extremism and Political Violence Context in Ohio The Southern Poverty Law Center has identified Ohio as having the second highest number of hate groups in the United States. Thirty-eight Ohioans have been charged in relation to the January 6 insurrection, making it the 9th state in indictments per capita.1 Rural communities are not a monolith, but they are often treated as such in the media and by politicians. Lack of opportunities, disinvestment, and isolation in rural areas can be a driver of acceptance of extremist ideas and entrance into extremist circles, particularly online. Extremist groups harness individuals’ sense of grievance or relative deprivation. Dominant narratives describing the negative impact of globalization on Ohio’s economy and social progress could be a source of such grievance or sense of deprivation.
1
https://extremism.gwu.edu/Capitol-Hill-Cases