In commemoration of one of the most horrific racist attacks in modern memory, Lindsay Schubiner, Director of Programs at Western States Center, issued the following statement

This morning, four out of five members of the Proud Boys, an anti-democracy organization with a long record of promoting bigotry and political violence, on trial for seditious conspiracy charges were convicted for their role in the implementation of the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.  

Benjamin Jeffery Smith, who killed one person and shot four others at a peaceful demonstration protesting racial violence in Portland last year, was sentenced to life in prison.

This morning, the shooter who murdered ten Black people in a Buffalo grocery store, was sentenced to life in prison. Amy Herzfeld-Copple, Western States Center’s Deputy Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives, issued the following statement:

Brandon Judd, the President of the National Border Patrol Council who frequently promotes white nationalist conspiracy theories, uses bigoted rhetoric against migrants, and engages with anti-immigrant groups, has been invited by House Republicans to testify in front of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.

Four members of the Oath Keepers, a paramilitary organization with a long record of promoting bigotry and political violence, were convicted on seditious conspiracy charges for their role in the implementation of the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Only 14 of the almost 1,000 individuals charged over the insurrection faced seditious conspiracy charges, underscoring the gravity of these convictions. 

New Mexico police have arrested Solomon Peña, a failed Republican candidate, in connection with shootings at the homes and offices of Democratic elected officials in New Mexico in December and January. A review of Peña’s social media and public statements shows he has shared election denial conspiracy theories and claims his own election was rigged. At this time, police and local officials believe that the shootings were politically motivated.

This vital new toolkit is designed to strengthen libraries as inclusive, pro-democracy spaces better prepared to counter the growing threat of white nationalism.

Following the vote of the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol to refer President Trump and others to the Department of Justice for prosecution, Western States Center’s Deputy Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives, Amy Herzfeld-Copple, issued the following statement:

In response to the conviction of Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes on seditious conspiracy charges stemming from his involvement in the January 6, 2021 attack on the United States Capitol, Lindsay Schubiner, Momentum Program Director at Western States Center, issued the following statement.

Following the news of the mass shooting at an LGBTQ+ club in Colorado Springs that left five dead and dozens injured, Western States Center’s Deputy Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives, Amy Herzfeld-Copple, issued the following statement

In response to Marie Gluesenkamp Perez’s victory over Joe Kent’s in the race to fill Washington’s 3rd Congressional District, Western States Strategies’ Momentum Program Director Lindsay Schubiner issued the following statement

In response to Idaho Governor Brad Little’s victory over anti-democracy leader Ammon Bundy, Western States Strategies’ Deputy Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives Amy Herzfeld-Copple issued the following statement

In response to the election of Tina Kotek as Oregon’s next governor and the electoral defeat of incumbent Portland City Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty, Western States Strategies’ Deputy Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives Amy Herzfeld-Copple issued the following statement

This resource guide from Western States Center is for anyone who supports democracy, rejects bigotry, and believes that every eligible voter should be able to vote safely and without intimidation. It covers some of the most prominent threats from bigoted and anti-democracy groups, makes projections for what we may expect in the coming weeks, and provides suggestions and resources for individuals and organizations to take action.

Today, Paul Pelosi, the husband of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, was assaulted in their home by suspected attacker David DePape. Initial reports have identified DePape as promoting antisemitic, misogynistic and racist language and conspiracy theories.

A coalition of elected leaders and civil society groups have sent an open letter to President Biden and Domestic Policy Advisor Susan E. Rice ahead of the September 15th United We Stand Summit on countering hate-fueled violence, urging the White House to treat the summit as an opportunity for action, not just ideation, to combat the growing threat of extremism and political violence.

In response to the conviction and sentencing of Susan Lang for charges related to disturbing the peace outside of the home of Central District Health board members in Boise, Idaho, Western States Center Deputy Director of Programs and Strategic Initiatives Amy Herzfeld-Copple issued the following statement.

In response to the conviction and sentencing of Patriot Prayer member Mackenzie Lewis of felony riot charges associated with several assaults that occurred during a brawl at a Portland bar in 2019, Western States Center deputy director of programs Amy Herzfeld-Copple issued the following statement.

In a letter sent yesterday to Attorney General Merrick Garland and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, Western States Center and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law laid out evidence that Patriot Front, a white nationalist group founded in the wake of the 2017 deadly Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, should be investigated for criminal actions under federal law.