CVE in Practice: An Ecosystemic Approach to Countering Violent Extremism in the United States

Date:
Location:

Online

Violence prevention specialist Bradley J. Galloway and Executive Director at Parallel Networks Jesse Morton will give a virtual lecture about how and why they left their respective extremist movements, as well as the most effective methods to prevent violent extremism, on Monday, April 20, from 1:00-2:30pm ET. They will give a 30-minute talk about their experiences and current work, then open up the floor for a discussion with the audience.

Now a research and intervention specialist with the Organization for the Prevention of Violence, and the Regional Coordinator for the Pacific Northwest district for the Against Violent Extremism Network (AVE), Galloway spent close to 13 years in the far-right extremist movement in Canada before exiting the movement. He dedicates his time to helping others leave extremist movements and educating people on methods to prevent right-wing extremism. Galloway is also enrolled as a fourth-year undergraduate student in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), where his current research interests include youth recruitment in the right-wing extremist movement, and the network structure of right-wing extremist groups both on- and offline.

Morton was formerly a member of a Muslim extremist group, in which he was an English-language jihadist propagandist connected to multiple radicalizers and recruiters in the West, including Samir Khan, Anwar al-Awlaki, Anjem Choudhry and Abdullah Faisal. After leaving the group, and after a period of incarceration, Morton deradicalized. Morton now holds degrees in Human Services and International Affairs. Featured in Foreign Policy Magazine’s 2017 ‘Global Thinkers’ listing, Morton is committed to applying social service skills to the realm of preventing and countering violent extremism. Additionally, he serves as executive director at Parallel Networks, a nonprofit dedicated to combating polarization, hate and extremism. 

START is committed to the University of Maryland’s effort to fight hate on our campus and in our community, and identify prevention methods that stop violent extremism. Galloway and Morton’s talk will provide unique insight and perspective on ways to counter extremism. It is intended to generate thoughtful and productive conversations about what we can do on an individual and campus level to fight hate and prevent community members from joining extremist movements. Notwithstanding, it is important to acknowledge that this lecture will be covering topics that could be triggering. We encourage attendees to discuss any thoughts and ideas that may come up with us or each other, as this can often be helpful.

This event, hosted by the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), is free and open to the campus community, but an RSVP is required.