Faith-Based Daily Awareness Post 12 January 2024

These updates are shared to help raise the situational awareness of Faith-Based organizations to best defend against and mitigate the impacts from all-hazards threats including physical security, cybersecurity, and natural disasters.

ICYMI. Here’s what to know about the pro-Gaza march in D.C. on Saturday

As a reminder for those with operations in D.C., Supporters of Palestine will hold a “March on Washington for Gaza” on Saturday 13 January at 1pm, beginning at Freedom Plaza. Organizers expect more than 10,000 participants, while the Washington Post is reporting the number could be closer to 25,000 according to National Park Service permits.

Analyst comments:

Tensions during the protest will continue to be fueled by ongoing updates from the region as the U.S. and U.K. launched retaliatory strikes against Houthis in Yemen on Thursday. A joint statement by Governments involved in a coalition to protect shipping channels in the Red Sea indicated, “In response to continued illegal, dangerous, and destabilizing Houthi attacks against vessels, including commercial shipping, transiting the Red Sea, the armed forces of the United States and United Kingdom, with support from the Netherlands, Canada, Bahrain, and Australia, conducted joint strikes in accordance with the inherent right of individual and collective self-defense, consistent with the UN Charter, against a number of targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.  These precision strikes were intended to disrupt and degrade the capabilities the Houthis use to threaten global trade and the lives of international mariners in one of the world’s most critical waterways.”

As always, protest activity has the potential for vandalism, and protester/counter-protester acts of aggression which can spill over to nearby businesses and religious facilities and organizations. There will be additional events taking place in other cities as well, including:

• ASHLAND, OR (US) – Sat Jan 13, 1 pm, Ashland Plaza. Info: https://www.instagram.com/freepalestineroguevalley
• BEND, OR (US) – Sat Jan 13, 12 pm, Peace Corner. Info: https://www.instagram.com/p/C18Mt-Gvvbm/
• CINCINNATI, OH (US) – Sat Jan 13, 3 pm, Ziegler Park. Info: https://www.instagram.com/p/C14liBuuvDt/
• COLLINGSWOOD, NJ (US) – Sat Jan 13, 12 pm, Haddon and Cuthbert. Info: https://www.instagram.com/p/C190bE8O-wY/
• CORVALLIS, OR (US) – Sat Jan 13, 12 pm, Benton County Courthouse. Info: https://www.instagram.com/p/C18tBVgrSOs/
• EUGENE, OR (US) – Sat Jan 13, 1 pm, Federal Courthouse, 405 E 8th Ave. Info: https://www.instagram.com/p/C1jOAiXiUJ0/
• FORT COLLINS, CO (US) – Sat Jan 13 (every Saturday), 3 pm, Old Town Square Stage. Info: https://www.instagram.com/p/C1n9pmNOGFd/
• FORT WAYNE, IN (US) – Sat Jan 13, 1 pm, MLK Bridge.
• KALISPELL, MT (US) – Sat Jan 13, 12, Main and Center by Depot Park (Every Saturday). Info: https://www.instagram.com/p/C1puNa1ucrm/
• KANSAS CITY, KS (US) – Sat Jan 13, 1 pm, Granada Park, Roeland Park. Info: https://www.instagram.com/p/C10Y27LJ1EO/
• LANGLEY, WA (US) – Sat Jan 13, 11 am, Bayview Rd and Hwy 525. Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/373235975254744/
• MIAMI, FL (US) – Sat Jan 13, 2 pm, University Metrorail Station. Info: https://www.instagram.com/p/C15V1BXLyc-/
• NEW YORK, NY (US) – Sat Jan 13, 12 pm, NE Corner 5th Ave and 44th St, Brooklyn. (Vigil, every Saturday). Info: https://www.instagram.com/p/C0KsY8PvCwp/
• NEW YORK, NY (US) – Sat Jan 13, 5 pm, Bryant Park Library Steps. Info: https://www.instagram.com/p/C145mA_Jido/
• OAKLAND, CA (US) – Sat Jan 13, 5 am, West Oakland BART, Port Shutdown for Palestine. Info: https://www.instagram.com/p/C1qpwPaLsLY/
• OLYMPIA, WA (US) – Sat Jan 13, 1 pm, Heritage Park, 5th Ave SW. Info: https://www.instagram.com/p/C1xUYlRPtRc/
• PASCO, WA (US) – Sat Jan 13, 3 pm, Sylvester St and 395 Hwy Overpass (Banner Drop). Info: https://www.instagram.com/p/C17wFtVyLgU/
• PETALUMA, CA (US) – Sat Jan 13 (every Saturday), 12:30 pm, Petaluma Blvd and East Washington. Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/362661229552435/
• PHOENIX, AZ (US) – Sat Jan 13, 11 am, Wesley Bolin Plaza Info: https://www.instagram.com/p/C1-DIpBvgct/
• PORTLAND, OR (US) – Sat Jan 13, 5:30 pm, Protest Michael Rapoport, Helium Comedy Club, 1510 SE 9th Ave. Info: https://www.instagram.com/p/C159T_lLdUN/
• SACRAMENTO, CA (US) – Sat Jan 13, 1pm, State Capital, West Steps. Info: https://sac4palestine.org/january-3-2024-solidary-rally-with-national-march-on-washington/
• SAN DIEGO, CA (US) – Sat Jan 13, 11 am, Plaza de Panama, Balboa Park. Info: https://www.instagram.com/p/C13b08grRj2/
• SANTA ROSA, CA (US) – Sat Jan 13, 6 pm, Old Courthouse Square
• ST PAUL, MN (US) – Sat Jan 13, 2 pm, Western District Police Dept to MN State Capitol. Info: https://www.instagram.com/p/C12sMuQJHeh/
• VIROQUA, WI (US) – Sat Jan 13, 11 am, Main St and Decker St, Weekly Vigil by Driftless Solidarity. Info: https://www.instagram.com/p/C1fWWvKNJlI/

Threats against Jews, Muslims and Arabs continue on social media: DHS bulletin

The Department of Homeland Security Office of Intelligence and Analysis “continues to observe” domestic and foreign individuals using social media to make threats against Jewish, Muslim and Arab communities. “[Foreign Terrorist Organizations] continue to post or recirculate messaging in response to the ongoing conflict to encourage violence or recruit new members,” the bulletin, dated Jan. 10, said.

Analyst Comments:

As geopolitical tensions and hate speech remain high, Members are encouraged to take any online threat seriously and report potentially dangerous and/or illegal speech. In a recent example, the FBI arrested a Florida man accused of threatening a ‘mass casualty event’. The individual had posted comments online that were “intended to convey the message that he was planning to conduct a racially or ethnically motivated mass casualty event,” according to an affidavit. FBI investigators noted that the individual posted “highscore shall be defeated” and “2024 there shall be saints”, but presumed nods to well-known white supremacist and accelerationist propaganda.

For access to the DHS document, as well as other relevant threat documentation, consider becoming a member of the Faith-Based ISAO.

Swift Response Averts Fire and Limits Water Damage at Prescott Valley Church

At approximately 12:42 p.m. on January 9, 2024, units from the Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority (CAFMA) were dispatched to a reported possible structure fire at the Church of Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Pronghorn Ranch Parkway in Prescott Valley, Arizona.

Upon arrival, fire crews identified smoke coming from the Church’s electrical room, swiftly attributed to an electrical arc triggered by water that had penetrated the electrical box via a ruptured frozen sprinkler pipe. Fire crews immediately shut off the sprinkler system and cut off electrical power to the building.

Fortunately, a rapid response and intervention effectively minimized water damage to the property and the situation did not escalate further. Firefighters went the extra mile by staying to remove water from the Church’s electrical room and the adjacent classroom.

Analyst Comments:

This was a good news story in that swift action was taken during the response phase to minimize damage. That outcome is not always the case, and even less so when organizations do proactively prepare to respond to emergency situations. There is an upcoming webinar which may interest members of the community being held by FEMA and partners which looks at preparedness for cultural institutions.

FEMA and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), will co-host a webinar on Tuesday, Jan. 23, to promote collaboration between emergency management professionals, artists, art and cultural institutions in disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. 

The webinar will be held from 2-3pm ET and feature presentations from:

• National Coalition for Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response
• the Craft Emergency Relief Fund,
• the National Endowment for the Arts
• FEMA