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KOIN-TV’s Coverage of Building Bridges 2024

Our thanks to KOIN-TV for attending Building Bridges 2024! Click the photo to view the story!

Building Bridges Coalition Takes a Stand Against Political Violence

TIGARD, Ore- On behalf of the steering committee of the Building Bridges of Understanding initiative, we reject all forms of political violence and extremism.  Disagreements and debates are a critical part of our American democracy, but threats and violence are not.  We are committed to building a community focused on collaboration, mutual respect, and peaceful dialogue. 

“We are challenged by the polarizing political moment we are in and now, more than ever, we must come together, reject all forms of violence and as a community, strive to model civility,” said Suzanne Hayden, 2024 Co-Chair of the Building Bridges Executive Committee. 

“Political violence is never appropriate in our American democracy,” said Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton.  “In 2016, a diverse group of local civic and community leaders came together to establish the Building Bridges initiative to promote dialogue and mutual respect. Recent events, including polarizing political rhetoric and violence, demonstrate the critical importance of our efforts.”

We take this opportunity to invite the community to attend our 9th annual gathering on October 30, 2024. Registration is available on our website. 

About Building Bridges of Understanding:

Building Bridges is the collaborative effort of the Muslim Educational Trust, law enforcement agencies, and civil society organizations to examine and understand the racial and ethnic disparities that exist in our communities and explore ways to remove them.

For more information visit www.buildingbridgesoregon.org. Media interviews can also be requested by contacting Stephen Mayer at Stephen_Mayer@washingtoncountyor.gov.