Pennsylvania Uniters' Public Statements

Pennsylvania Uniters Call for Collective Action to Prevent Political Violence

[Harrisburg, PA] – January 15, 2024 – We are a politically diverse group of 23 community members in south-central Pennsylvania committed to embracing our shared values and working across our differences to prevent targeted violence, including political violence such as physical attacks against people because of their party affiliations or viewpoints.

We were selected through a competitive application process for the Uniting to Prevent Targeted Violence in South-Central Pennsylvania (UPTV) program, an 18-month, non-partisan civic engagement program led by Urban Rural Action.

As we approach 2024, we are concerned about the rising incidents of political violence, including escalating harassment and threats of violence against public figures. In a recent survey by the National League of Cities, 81% of local public officials surveyed said they had experienced harassment, threats, or violence in recent years. In addition to posing a serious threat to our communities’ safety, political violence prevents our democratic processes from working well. 

Preventing political violence starts with us. Multiple polls have found that the overwhelming majority of Americans do NOT believe that violence is necessary to “save our country.” We stand with them.

Both Democrats and Republicans imagine that the number of members of the other party who hold views they consider “extreme” is almost twice what it actually is. This significant perception gap among Americans may explain why more than 70% of partisans believe that the other party “poses a threat that if not stopped will destroy America as we know it."

Therefore, we call on our fellow Americans to join us by committing to:

• Embrace curiosity about different political views rather than rejecting those views outright;

• Respect political views with which we disagree;

• Separate the people who hold views we disagree with from the views themselves; and

• Appreciate the humanity of those on the other side even as we rally for our causes and preferred candidates.

Political candidates wield significant influence over their supporters. Therefore, we call on public officials and candidates to:

• Account for the needs of all your constituents, not just your supporters;

• Avoid provoking public anger towards identity groups;

• Seek out opportunities to collaborate, not just compete, with elected officials on the other side; and

• Support our democratic processes, even when your preferred outcome may not be realized.

The information we consume shapes how we view those different from us, including our perception of the threats they pose. We’ve learned from the News Literacy Project the importance of separating news from opinion and recognizing media intended to manipulate or provoke us. We commit to assessing the credibility of information before sharing it with our networks. 

We call on news reporters and opinion journalists to do your part by:

• Avoiding inflaming hate and division by focusing only on negative stories, assigning group blame for individual behavior, and/or exaggerating the scope of a problem;

• Showcasing efforts aimed at solving problems, as demonstrated by the Solutions Journalism Network; and

• Exploring new ways of covering conflict that illuminate rather than inflame.

Allison Stephens
Amanda Batista-Brgulja
Ann Wofford
Betsy Hower
​Cindy Richard
​Dan Walston
​David Roeting
Destiny Neumann
Donald Marritz
Doug Dobbs
​Jevon Thompson
​Kurt Danysh
​Lance Walker
​Maggie Manning
Maria Banks
Megan Shreve
​​Patti Robinson
Paul Mancenido 
​Pearl Sweeting
​Shane Falwell
​Stephanie Harbaugh​
Thomas Cassara
​William Anderson

Disclaimer: The statement above reflects the consensus view of the 23 UPTV participants listed above and does not imply agreement by the organizations with which they are affiliated.

Additional signatories from across the United States (name / zip code):

B Soloway / 90064
Bridget O Matkovich / 60525
David Soloway / 90025
Erec Smith / 17406 
Jeremy Auslander / 91436
Joe Bubman / 90064
Judith Rivin / 90025
Kierstan Belle / 17325
Kira Hamman / 21783
Logan Grubb / 02467
Lyn Rothman / 90024
Maureen Malone / 60805
Molly Malone / 90064
Sharon Lubin / 92660

If you’d like to be a signatory to our statement - click here.

Pennsylvania Uniters Call for Collective Action to Prevent Targeted Violence

[York, PA] – August 2023 – We are an ideologically, racially, and generationally diverse group of 28 community members in south-central Pennsylvania committed to working across our differences to prevent targeted violence in our communities and our country. 

We were selected through a competitive application process for the Uniting to Prevent Targeted Violence in South-Central Pennsylvania (UPTV) program, an 18-month, non-partisan civic engagement program led by Urban Rural Action.

We have come together to take action on targeted violence because, unlike random violent crime, targeted violence degrades our society by making entire groups feel unsafe based on an aspect of their identity. While the number of mass-casualty events in the United States has stayed flat over the past decade and a half, targeted violence is on a sharp upward trajectory. The number of extremist-linked violent plots has increased by 2,400 percent over the past three decades, according to two University of Maryland databases on radicalization.

​It may sometimes seem that targeted violence is senseless or random, but targeted violence is intentional and planned. Those at risk for committing acts of targeted violence exhibit predictable patterns of behavior. This means that, if we know what indicators to look for, we can intervene early so that potential perpetrators can get the help they need.

Given the scope of the problem, to meaningfully address targeted violence we must work across our differences. Unfortunately, our society suffers from toxic polarization; we too often demonize and even dehumanize people who are different from us and/or hold different views from us. When we dehumanize others, we are more likely to consider violence as a way to resolve our differences. And those who feel dehumanized are more likely to act out in potentially dangerous ways. 

We believe that our ideological, racial, and generational differences are a source of strength. By working across those differences, we recognize our common humanity, promote dignity for all, and foster new relationships. Relationships that transcend our differences contribute to empathy for those different from ourselves, thereby reducing the likelihood of targeted violence.

We encourage you to join us in learning about targeted violence and taking action with our fellow Americans to prevent it.

Allison Stephens
Amanda Batista-Brgulja
Ann Wofford
Betsy Hower
Carl Helman
Christine Marriott
​Cindy Richard
Dan Walston
David Roeting
Destiny Neumann
Donald Marritz
Doug Dobbs
Ismail El-Guemra
​Janon R. Gray
Jevon Thompson
Kurt Danysh
Lance Walker
Maggie Manning
Maria Banks
Mel Kesler
​Patti Robinson
Paul Mancenido 
Pearl Sweeting 
Robert Aims
Shane Falwell
Stephanie Harbaugh
Thomas Cassara
​William Anderson