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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."

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The attorney general announced that the Justice Department is exploring new ways to stop Americans who want to travel overseas and join terror gr...

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.

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Holder upping local involvement in anti-terror fight

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder on Monday announced a Justice Department program to try to thwart recruitment by extremist groups such as ISIS, attempting to involve social and mental health workers as well as religious leaders and police to spot radicalization early.

This effort is an outgrowth of existing community outreach programs that in recent years have linked Justice Department prosecutors, the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security with imams and local organizations hoping to prevent young people from joining terror groups.

Despite those efforts, authorities say more than 100 Americans have traveled in recent years to join groups involved in the Syrian civil war. More than a dozen are believed to have joined ISIS, which calls itself the Islamic State.

The FBI and other agencies are grappling with trying to track those who not only support radical groups online but also help recruit and try to travel to join the fight.

The Obama administration says the new program will reach out to social services and mental health workers to help spread what is known about extremist groups' recruitment methods. The idea is not only to counteract recruitment but also to encourage local community intervention efforts before law enforcement has to pursue possible prosecution.

"We have established processes for detecting American extremists who attempt to join terror groups abroad," Holder said in a video message posted on the Justice Department's website.

"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."

A U.S. official said one of the first such places expected to be part of the new program is Minneapolis, where in recent years young people have been recruited to join the Islamist group Al-Shabaab in Somalia, and more recently Syrian Islamist rebel groups.

The Justice Department has worked with local religious and community groups to help provide support when those communities face discrimination while using those contacts to find out when there are concerns about radicalization.

However, in recent years, some imams and family members have complained about the heavy law enforcement response when they contact officials to express concern about specific members of their community.

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Holder unveils program to counter extremists

The Justice Department said Monday that it will do more to detect and disrupt Americans who try to join overseas terrorist organizations, including ISIS. Attorney General Eric Holder said in a video message that the department and other federal agencies will create programs in U.S. cities that bring together law enforcement, religious leaders and community representatives.

The goal will be to build a broad network of community partnerships to keep our nation safe, Holder said. He said the programs will share information on best practices and improve training.

The White House will also hold a summit in October on violent extremism, he said. U.S. officials have said that dozens of Americans are fighting with extremists groups in the Middle East, with more aspiring to join.

First published September 15 2014, 5:55 AM

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Holder: New Steps Will Counter Homegrown Extremists

Image from The Miller Center

Sept. 15, 2014

CBS News - 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."

Continued here:
AG Eric Holder Upping Local Involvement in Anti-Terror Fight

John Tuohy, Stephanie Wang and Brian Eason, brian.eason@indystar.com 10:04 p.m. EDT September 15, 2014

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard (Photo: Matt Kryger / The Star)

A City-County Council Democrat and aides to Republican Mayor Greg Ballard are seeking a way to save the mayor's early childhood education plan for low-income children.

The negotiations come as Ballard's funding proposal for the program appears headed for defeat at a council committee meeting Tuesday night.

The Democrat-controlled council is expected to reject paying for pre-kindergarten by eliminating a local property tax credit.

Democratic Councilman John Barth said he is trying to salvage a compromise that mollifies both sides. He has been in talks with the administration to find another way to fund the five-year, $50 million initiative that would provide pre-school for thousands of 4-year-olds.

The battle over the ambitious plan and how it would be paid for has raged since Ballard proposed it in July. Some observers see political gamesmanship at play, with the 2015 mayoral election quickly approaching and Democrats and Republicans eager to assign blame for derailed policies or claim credit for programs that are implemented.

Barth said about four or five funding alternatives have been proposed for the pre-K program, but he declined to give details. Though his party opposes paying for the program with the tax credit, some members think it is a worthy program that should be pursued, if possible, Barth said.

"There is some support on the council floor for a version of the pre-K program," Barth said. "What exactly it will look like is unknown so far, but the goal is to serve the same amount of children."

Mayoral spokesman Marc Lotter confirmed that proposals that don't touch the homestead credit are being discussed.

Excerpt from:
Democrat tries to rescue Ballard's pre-K plan