The Trust Network condemns the shooting of Charlie Kirk in the strongest possible terms. Violence has no place in civic life, regardless of political affiliation. Yesterday's tragic event at Utah Valley University highlights the urgent need to protect the safety of all who participate in America’s democratic processes.

Political violence not only endangers lives but also erodes trust in our institutions and deepens divisions in our communities. As our data and analysis show, threats against public officials and political actors have risen dramatically in recent years, with U.S. Capitol Police investigating nearly 9,500 threats in 2024, up from fewer than 1,000 in 2016. This disturbing trajectory demands vigilance and collective action.

We call on leaders, institutions, and community members across the political spectrum to:

• Reject violence unequivocally, and avoid rhetoric that fuels retaliation or collective blame.

• Support de-escalation and dialogue, particularly at vigils, protests, and political events in the coming weeks.

• Report threats and concerning behavior promptly to law enforcement and trusted community intermediaries.

The Trust Network will continue to monitor developments closely, share early warning analysis with our partners, and mobilize resources for violence prevention and community resilience. Together, we must reaffirm the principle that disagreements in a democracy are resolved through words, not weapons.

We are issuing this statement now because this incident is emblematic of the broader political climate we are living through—one in which violence is increasingly intertwined with political rhetoric. It is a stark reminder that the work we began in 2020 remains not only necessary but prescient, and that conversations and responses must be rooted in local contexts, coordinated nationally, and advanced through multi-sector collaboration. Only through that depth and breadth of engagement can we identify risks earlier, strengthen community resilience, and prevent escalation.

Please see additional resources shared from our partners on our Slack channel. 

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Join the TRUST Network. Just by being a conscious, thoughtful observer of your local conditions, you make important contributions to the early warning/early action system as a Community Monitor. Then, together with your local colleagues and with the support of the TRUST Network, you can take positive action. Learn more HERE.

Leaders of organizations in positive peace actions, violence prevention, deradicalization, crisis data mapping, bridgebuilding, peacebuilding, social/racial justice, democracy, governance, media, and messaging -- we are here to melt the silos and offer you valuable collaboration. Please let us know if you're interested in joining the conversation by emailing us at info@thetrustnetwork.net.

Donate. We believe we can prevent escalation into violent conflict by building a national community cohesion and security infrastructure for the US, including an early warning/early action system. Help us achieve this by donating HERE.

Warm regards,