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Attacks Against Elected Leaders and Civil Servants

— 3 minutes reading time

The attack on former President Donald J. Trump is the latest in a significant spike in political violence globally in recent years, and comes amid rising hate, extremism and polarisation.

The assassination attempt on former President Trump at an election rally on Saturday is a stark and shocking reminder (and arguably manifestation) of the impact that rising hate, extremism and polarisation is having on democracy. Leaders from around the world have reacted swiftly to the latest incident; united in their condemnation of the attack and making clear that political violence has no place in our societies. 

Yet, we must not forget that this horrific attack is the latest in a significant spike in political violence globally in recent years. Elected leaders and civil servants, at all levels of government and across all geographic regions, have faced horrific threats and attacks on their lives, their families and their homes. Research from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (which hosts Strong Cities) has shown an increase in online abuse and threats targeting public officials and politicians across the political aisle that tracks with the alarming rise in offline attacks. Women leaders and government officials, in particular, are increasingly subjected to abuse, threats of violence and even death. This apparent normalisation of hate and polarisation is driving people away from public service, which itself threatens to undermine democracy. 

In the course of 2024, nearly half the global population will have had the opportunity to participate in elections. What should be opportunities to encourage participation in local and national conversations through which citizens negotiate their interests and shape their society, elections can also be flash points for political violence, exacerbating and driving intense polarisation that can undermine and damage democracy and social cohesion. What is clear is that we are living in a time where rising hate and polarisation, coupled with mis/disinformation and conspiracy theories amplified on social media platforms, is fomenting virtual and real-world environments that lean into and reward hate and extremism, rather than promoting civil discourse, respect, compassion and empathy. 

In 1959, then-US Senator John F. Kennedy spoke of how out of crises can emerge opportunities. Following Kennedy’s assassination (when President) in 1963, Vice President Lyndon Johnson said: “Let us use this moment to put an end to the preaching of hate and evil and violence and remember that we are one people”. In 1981, the country united – albeit temporarily – behind then-President Ronald Reagan following an attempt on his life.

We need to view rising hate and polarisation as the global crisis it is and embrace this moment as an opportunity to focus on what unites rather than divides communities. One in which we collectively and intentionally stop demonising and weaponising others for political or personal gain. One in which we collectively and intentionally show the courage and leadership to refrain from discourse that divides our communities. One in which we collectively and intentionally embrace a lexicon that supports, promotes and strengthens social cohesion, uniting around the ties that bind. The choice is ours and the urgency is profound.

This is central to the Strong Cities Network mission: a network of more than 235 cities globally united in a common cause to catalyse city-led action to prevent and respond to rising hate, extremism and polarisation. We make this statement not on behalf of our members but inspired by them, and the unique potential that mayors and other elected local officials have to foster a sense of community in their cities, bridge divides, and model for their communities and the world the return to civil discourse we so urgently need. In the coming weeks, as we prepare to launch our new Strong Cities North America Regional Hub in Pittsburgh, we will be redoubling our efforts and intensifying our engagement with local leaders and cities in the region, and globally, around how cities can lead the charge in restoring civil discourse at the local level and unite communities.

Strong Cities recognises attacks against elected officials and civil servants as a global crisis – a manifestation of the rising hate, extremism and polarisation that is engulfing our online and offline environments and tearing at our social fabric. As John F. Kennedy suggested, we choose to also recognise this moment as an opportunity – to further catalyse city-led action to prevent and respond to the hate, extremism and polarisation dividing our communities.