Building Resilience Against Violent Extremism: Threats, Challenges & Solutions (“BRAVE”) Conference

Title:           Building Resilience Against Violent Extremism: Threats, Challenges & Solutions (“BRAVE”)

Date:           Thursday, November 12, 2015

Time:           8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Location:    Douglass College, Rutgers University, New Brunswick
 

Recent events highlight the importance of strong, collaborative relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve to mitigate the threat posed by violent extremism.

Threats within the United States can come from a range of groups and individuals, including domestic terrorists and homegrown violent extremists. The threat is not constrained by international borders nor limited to any single ideology. Rather, groups and individuals influenced by personal, religious, political, or other ideological beliefs promote and use violence.

This conference, sponsored by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Institute for Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security at Rutgers University, and the Mid-Atlantic-Great Lakes Organized Crime Law Enforcement Network, will bring together community leaders and law enforcement partners to present ideas on how best to build resilience to violent extremism in their respective communities and to empower all to prevent violent extremists from inspiring, financing or recruiting individuals or groups in the U.S. to engage in acts of violence or terrorism.

Panels will include: a community awareness briefing on the various forms of violent extremism with case studies explaining how individuals have been radicalized; a presentation on domestic terrorists and “sovereign citizens;” a discussion of potential solutions to mitigate violent extremism; and a discussion of the balance between civil liberties and national security.

To register, email the below form to Michelle Martinez at USANJ.Braveconference@usdoj.gov
RegistrationForm.pdf (312.95 KB)

Also, check out our interview with one of the panelists, Essma Bengabsia.
 

DRAFT AGENDA (Agenda and speakers are subject to change)

• Registration
   
• Welcoming Remarks
  • Paul J. Fishman, U.S. Attorney for the District of N.J.
  • Richard M. Frankel, Special Agent In Charge – FBI – Newark Division
  • Dr. Clifton R. Lacy, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.A.C.P, Director – Rutgers University, Institute for Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security
     
• Featured Speaker: Nicholas J.  Rasmussen, Director National Counterterrorism Center
   
• Presentation: Threat Overview by Joshua Cohen, Regional Director, Anti-Defamation League – New Jersey Region
   
• Break
   
• Presentation: “Recent Trends in New Jersey and Law Enforcement Response”
  • Panelists
    • Dennis C. Carletta, Assistant U.S. Attorney, United States Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey, National Security Unit
    • L. Judson Welle, Assistant U.S. Attorney, United States Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey, National Security Unit
    • Bradley H. Zartman, Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Lunch Break
   
• Panel Discussion: “Exploring Solutions to Counter and Mitigate Violent Extremism
  • Moderator- Dina Temple-Raston, National Public Radio
     
  • Panelists
    • Essma Bengabsia, Student New York University, Stern School of Business
    • Joshua Cohen, Regional Director Anti-Defamation League, New Jersey Region
    • Tony McAleer, Executive Director Life After Hate
    • Thomas J. O’Reilly, Director, The Police Institute at the School of Criminal Justice, Rutgers University
    • Irfan Saeed, Director, Countering Violent Extremism, Bureau of Counterterrorism (CT) U.S. Department of State
    • Brette Steele, Senior Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice
• Break
   
• Panel Discussion: “Law Enforcement and Community Relations - The Balance Between Civil Liberties and National Security”
  • Moderator- Anthony Moscato, Chief, National Security, U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey
     
  • Panelists
    • Dawn C. Bruno, Esq. Supervisory Special Agent and Associate Division Counsel, FBI Newark Division
    • Dror Ladin, Esq. Staff Attorney, American Civil Liberties Union, National Security Project
    • Lawrence S. Lustberg, Esq., Chair, Criminal Defense, Gibbons P.C. Newark, New Jersey