Tag: Communities of Faith

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

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.

American intel officials warn of risk of Hezbollah attacking U.S.

Politico reports:

“U.S. officials assess that there’s a rising risk Lebanese Hezbollah militants will strike Americans in the Middle East — and even potentially hit inside the United States, four officials familiar with the intelligence told POLITICO.

The Iran-backed militant group would likely target U.S. personnel in the Middle East first, the officials said. And U.S. intelligence agencies are gathering data on Hezbollah that suggest it could be considering attacks on both U.S. troops or diplomatic personnel overseas, two of the officials said.

The chance for an assault on U.S. soil is also growing as tensions in the region escalate, the officials said.

“Hezbollah could draw on the capability they have … to put people [in] places to do something,” one of the officials said, referring to a potential attack on the U.S. “It is something to be worried about.” The official, like others in this story, was granted anonymity to talk freely about sensitive intelligence.

…

“The arrests of individuals in the United States allegedly linked to Hezbollah’s main overseas terrorist arm, and their intelligence-collection and procurement efforts, demonstrate Hezbollah’s interest in long-term contingency planning activities here in the homeland,” FBI director Chris Wray said in a congressional hearing Nov. 15.”

Related article:

Undercover FBI Agents Helped Autistic Teen Plan Trip To Join ISIS

Analyst comments:

Faith-Based Organizations should remain vigilant against the possibility of an attack by an international terrorist group or a radicalized domestic extremist.

 FB-ISAO members are sharing additional information on the Israel-Hamas Conflict, as well as information about threats, domestic protests, and security coordination activities in FB-ISAO Slack. Join here.

Additionally, Faith-Based ISAO’s website provides resources in the Resource Library, including information on Securing Facilities and People.

In his 1st interview, friend warned officials about the Maine shooter

AP reports that multiple people warned law enforcement and the U.S. Army about the Maine shooter’s behavior. The article covers the actions taken that were not sufficient in stopping the shooting.

Relate articles:

• A review defends police action before the Maine mass shooting. Legal experts say questions persist
• Timeline of the Lewiston, Maine, mass shooting

Analyst Comments:

While it appears that authorities did not take proper action in this case, Faith-Based Organizations and individuals should continue to report suspicious behavior. Reporting suspicious behavior can prevent a tragedy from occurring. Reports should not be based on demographics but should be based on suspicious behaviors.

Successful Reporting of Suspicious Behaviors

The following articles about recent events show that reporting suspicious behaviors likely prevented tragedies. In the first case, a House of Worship made the report as the attack was about to occur and the second was a case of a mother reporting a son’s preparations to make an attack.  

• Man indicted for threatening to shoot, firebomb westside church
• Man arrested for building homemade bombs, making plans to ‘blow up’ Satanic Temple

Reporting Suspicious Behaviors

DHS’ Report Suspicious Activity website recommends:

“If you see something suspicious, citizens should always call local law enforcement.

If there is a life threatening emergency, please call 9-1-1.

When reporting suspicious activity, it is helpful to give the most accurate description possible, including:

• Brief description of the activity
• Date, time and location of the activity
• Physical identifiers of anyone you observed
• Descriptions of vehicles
• Information about where people involved in suspicious activities may have gone
• Your name and contact information (optional)”

The website also provides additional information on reporting suspicious activity.

If a reporter is not satisfied with the officials’ response, they should report up the chain-of-command or report the behavior to another organization.

Suspicious behavior can be reported to the suspicious actor’s employer or organization, local law enforcement, and regional or state fusion center.

Federal crimes and tips regarding terrorists can be reported to the FBI’s Electronic Tip Form.   The tip form is NOT for emergencies.

Recognizing Suspicious Behaviors

The following resources assist in recognizing suspicious behaviors:

Gate 15’s White Paper: The Hostile Event Attack Cycle (HEAC), 2021 Update provides information to help detect bad actors in the different phases of their planning and attack. PDF: HEAC-Series

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s U.S. Violent Extremist Mobilization Indicators 2021 (dni.gov) provides indicators and who may witness them, including Family Members and Peers, Social Media Users, and Community Authority Figures and Members. Community Authority Figures and Members include religious leaders and congregants.