We face a polarized body politic with poor civic discourse. Embattled segments of the population confront greater harassment, fear, and violence. Dissenters are met with increasing surveillance and curtailment of civil liberties. Many who have stood on the sidelines and hoped for more progressive outcomes feel challenged to engage more actively in making social change happen. How can we seize the opportunity of greater polarization to reach beyond our own circles to engage our neighbors in civil conversation to strengthen our democratic institutions? Learning from experienced front-line experts, let us sharpen our analysis, hone our skills, and create ways to support each other in resisting further erosion of basic constitutional rights and expanding our nations’ long-delayed promise of liberty and justice for all.

There will be:

• Front-line experts discussing the history and trends of law enforcement in the United States, including policing of targeted communities, such as immigrants, Latin Americans, African-Americans, Muslims, LGBTQ folks, and others;
• Exercises to increase awareness of internalized biases to enable us to act with greater intention and integrity;
• Exercises to improve our capacity to confront repression and de-escalate violence;
• Exercises in planning a strategic nonviolent campaign with winning steps that increase our momentum and draw wider participation – using creativity, drama, humor, and people power;
• Experiential learning on how to have the difficult conversations that we must have with our peers;
• Training and practice in the art of moral advocacy with decision makers; and
• Reflection groups to process our experiences in small groups.

For more information, visit Pendle Hill's website.