Urban Rural Action: Peacebuilding is Tents

Peacebuilding is about building relationships across differences AND taking action to create a more just, peaceful society. Urban Rural Action embodies this mission through its non-partisan “Uniting to Prevent Targeted Violence” program which gathers individuals, known as “Uniters,” to collaborate across ideological divides to proactively prevent targeted violence. Targeted violence involves intentional attacks on specific groups based on identity and aims to intimidate or highlight grievances. It can include mass shootings and politically motivated violence, such as the attack on the U.S. Capitol and attacks targeting racial, religious, and LGBTQ communities across the United States.

Talking about ideological differences in a respectful way is key to alleviating community tensions. Community members in our Uniting to Prevent Targeted Violence in South-Central Pennsylvania program are actively working to combat targeted violence. A team of seven Uniters in Adams County, Pennsylvania are working with Mediation Services of Adams County to promote constructive conversation and defuse local political tension. The team has created “Tent Talk” cards and put up tents at county events. Tent Talk cards create a safe space for community members to express thoughts on issues related to race, politics, and other issues affecting the community—without fear of criticism. Tent Talk cards are the first step in facilitating face-to-face conversations that foster understanding and empathy, emphasizing free discussion, connection, and laying the groundwork for finding common ground. 

Learn more about how Urban Rural Action combats targeted violence here.