Domestic Terrorism

On the anniversary of the attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters and right-wing extremists, Masood Akhtar, founder of We Are Many-United Against Hate (and an Isthmus Community Media board member), has organized an event exploring the rise in domestic terrorism in the United States. Thomas E. Brzozowski, counsel for domestic terrorism at the U.S. Department of Justice, will provide the keynote address, with other guest speakers including Daryl Johnson, an expert on domestic terrorism, and Brian Levin, an expert on hate crimes. There will also be panel discussions, including one with former members of hate groups. The event will be held in person (masks required) at the McFarland High School Performing Arts Center, 5103 Farwell St., McFarland, and will also be streamed live.

press release: National and State Justice Department officials along with a former Ku Klux Klan leader, a former White Nationalist, a former Neo-Nazi, and a former Al Qaeda Recruiter, will join United Against Hate for a special event on the anniversary of the January 6, 2021 coup attempt at the nation's Capital.

Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul will moderate the in-person and online event and is free to the public.

"We are holding this event on January 6 for a reason: all of us can work together to make sure January 6^th, 2021 never happens again," said Masood Akhtar, President and Founder of We Are Many-United Against Hate Movement. Masood continued, "Learning from those who were once consumed with racial and cultural hate can teach all of us how to end that hatred." 

The keynote features Thomas Brzozowski, Counsel for Domestic Terrorism at the U.S. Department of Justice. Guest speakers include Daryl Johnson, Domestic Terrorism Expert, and Professor Brian Levin, Hate Crimes Expert.

The second panel features four former hate group members:

• Derek Barsaleau - a former white nationalist who changed his life after a black, fellow U.S. Army soldier saved his life.
• Ryan Lo'Ree - a former Neo-Nazi now working to prevent teens from joining extremist groups and gangs.
• TM Garret - a German-born former Neo-Nazi and KKK Leader working with the Jewish and Black Community speaking on college campuses and working to help extremists leave hate groups.
• Jesse Morton - a former Al-Qaeda Recruiter working with the NYPD officer who caught and jailed him in 2011 to prevent the spread of extremism.

A student panel from various high schools is also planned where students will share their own experiences and their work to influence their schools and communities.

Where: McFarland High School Performing Arts Center and ONLINE. Register today and learn more at We Are Many - United Against Hate

United Against Hate Inc. is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization of common people—urban and rural, spiritual and secular—seeking equal protection for all, united against hate, bigotry and racism. The organization does outreach and intervention in communities to promote understanding, healing, reconciliation and redemption. Instead of simply condemning the latest eruptions of hate-inspired violence, we dig down to the root causes of division, fear and hate. And we advocate policies creating greater economic security, promoting religious tolerance, celebrating differences and honoring America's heritage of openness to foreigners.

Schedule: Thursday, Jan. 6, 2022, 8:30am-1:00pm CST

McFarland Performing Arts Center, McFarland High School, McFarland

Moderator: Josh Kaul, Wisconsin Attorney General

8:30 am Welcoming remarks – Dale Schultz, former Republican state Senator

8:40 am McFarland Welcome – Dr. Wayne Anderson, District Administrator

8:50 am Event Logistics – Josh Kau

9 am Purpose – Masood Akhtar, Founder, We Are Many-United Against Hate

9:10 am Keynote: National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism, by Thomas E. Brzozowski, U.S. Department of Justice

10:00 am WAM-UAH Student Ambassador Board Panel: McFarland; Dodgeville; Deerfield; Baraboo. Moderator: Jeff Jacobson, Liaison between WAM-UAH & student chapters

10:30 am Domestic Terrorism Panel: Daryl Johnson, Subject Matter Expert - Domestic Terrorism; Professor Brian Levin, Subject Matter Expert - Hate Crimes

11:10 am Former Hate Group Members Panel: Jesse Morton, former Al Qaeda Recruiter; TM Garret, former KKK Leader; Derek Barsaleau, former White Nationalist; Ryan Lo’Ree, former Neo-Nazi

12:15 pm Wrap-up and concluding remarks – Josh Kaul

12:30 pm Book signing: “Hateland: A long, hard look at America’s extremist heart” – Daryl Johnson

1:00 pm Lunch: students and speakers