U.S. Attorney Will Thompson to Co-Host United Against Hate Community Forum on March 19 in Huntington

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Will Thompson will join with Huntington Mayor Steve Williams and other community leaders for a United Against Hate forum on Tuesday, March 19, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Marshall Health Network Arena Convention Center. The forum is free and open to the public.

The United Against Hate (UAH) Community Outreach Program is a nationwide initiative launched by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat unlawful acts of hate. The initiative aims to improve hate crime reporting by teaching community members how to identify, report, and help prevent hate crimes, and by building trust between law enforcement and communities.

UAH shares resources to combat hate and encourages discussion between representatives from law enforcement, community organizations, and members of the public. UAH emphasizes that while some hate-fueled incidents—standing alone—may not be a crime, people should still report those incidents to local law enforcement and the FBI.

“This forum is an excellent opportunity to hear from the community, raise awareness and further education about hate crimes and bias incidents,” Thompson said. “Working together and listening to each other is how we combat violence, threats and other unlawful acts fueled by hate.”

"Huntington is a welcoming community that embraces diversity, equity and inclusion, but there are still individuals who want to tear down the progress we have made," Mayor Steve Williams said. "That's why I am eager to partner with the U.S. Attorney Will Thompson and engage our community on this important topic."

U.S. Attorneys from across the country have so far hosted over 50 UAH events since the September 2022 launch of the initiative. The March 19, 2024, forum will include presentations about UAH and federal and West Virginia hate crime laws as well as a panel session featuring community leaders.  

The panel is scheduled to include:

- Charles Meyers: past president, Cabell-Huntington NAACP

- Hoyt Glazer, J.D.: president, Temple B’nai Sholom

- Sue Barazi: vice president, Islamic Association of West Virginia

- Ally Layman: president, Huntington Pride

- Angela Adams: president and CEO, Mountain State Centers for Independent Living

For more information about the forum, contact Tracy Chapman with the U.S. Attorney’s Office at (800) 659-8726, (304) 340-2349 or Tracy.Chapman@usdoj.gov.

WHAT: United Against Hate Community Forum

WHEN: Tuesday, March 19, 2024, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

WHERE: Marshall Health Network Arena Convention Center, One Civic Center Plaza, Huntington, W.Va.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia.

###