DHS Issues National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin November 30, 2022

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs

DHS Issues National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin

WASHINGTON – Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas issued a National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin regarding the continued heightened threat environment across the United States. This is the seventh NTAS Bulletin issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) since January 2021 and it replaces the current Bulletin that was set to expire at 2:00 PM ET today. “Our homeland continues to face a heightened threat environment —as we have seen, tragically, in recent acts of targeted violence— and is driven by violent extremists seeking to further a political or social goal or act on a grievance,” said Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “To keep Americans safe, DHS is committed to working with partners across every level of government, in the private sector, and in local communities by sharing information, equipping communities with training and resources, and providing millions of dollars in grant funding for security enhancement and prevention.” Lone offenders and small groups motivated by a range of ideological beliefs and/or personal grievances continue to pose a persistent and lethal threat to the homeland. In the coming months, DHS expects the threat environment to remain heightened and threat actors could exploit several upcoming events to justify or commit acts of violence. These targets could include public gatherings, faith-based institutions, the LGBTQI+ community, schools, racial and religious minorities, government facilities and personnel, U.S. critical infrastructure, the media, and perceived ideological opponents. Several recent attacks, plots, and threats of violence demonstrate the continued dynamic and complex nature of the threat environment in the United States. Domestic actors and foreign terrorist organizations —who remain intent on attacking America— continue to maintain a visible presence online in attempts to motivate supporters to conduct attacks in the homeland. Threat actors have recently mobilized to violence, citing factors such as reactions to current events and adherence to violent extremist ideologies, and some domestic violent extremists who have conducted attacks have cited previous attacks and attackers as inspiration. While violence surrounding the November midterm elections was isolated, we remain vigilant that heightened political tensions in the country could contribute to individuals mobilizing to violence based on personalized grievances. Perceptions of government overreach continue to drive individuals to attempt to commit violence targeting government officials and law enforcement officers. Some domestic violent extremists have expressed grievances based on perceptions that the government is overstepping its Constitutional authorities or failing to perform its duties. DHS works with partners across every level of government, in the private sector, and in local communities to keep Americans safe, providing resources and support, including the following: DHS and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) continue to share timely and actionable information and intelligence with the broadest audience possible. This includes sharing information and intelligence with partners across every level of government and in the private sector. DHS conducts recurring threat briefings with private sector and state, local, tribal, territorial, and campus partners, including to inform security planning efforts. DHS remains committed to working with partners to identify and prevent all forms of terrorism and targeted violence, and to support law enforcement efforts to keep communities safe. In July 2022, DHS reconstituted the Faith-based Security Advisory Council (FBSAC). The FBSAC serves as an advisory body with the purpose of providing guidance and recommendations to the Secretary on the development and implementation of strategies, policies, programs, and information sharing practices that will further the Department’s ability to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from acts of targeted violence or terrorism, major disasters, cyberattacks, or other threats or emergencies against places of worship, faith communities, and faith-based organizations. DHS’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A), the FBI, and the National Counterterrorism Center released updated behavioral indicators of U.S. extremist mobilization to violence. Further, I&A’s National Threat Evaluation and Reporting Program continues to provide tools and resources for federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial partners on preventing terrorism and targeted violence, including online suspicious activity reporting training. DHS’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) works with government and private sector partners – including owners and operators of critical infrastructure, soft target facilities, and public gathering places – to enhance security and mitigate risks posed by acts of terrorism and targeted violence through its network of Protective Security Advisors and resources addressing Active Shooters, School Safety, Bombing Prevention, and Soft Targets-Crowded Places. DHS’s Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) educates and trains stakeholders on how to identify indicators of radicalization to violence, where to seek help, and the resources that are available to prevent targeted violence and terrorism. In 2021, CP3 awarded about $20 million in grants through its Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) Grant Program. In 2021 and 2022, DHS designated for the first time domestic violent extremism as a “National Priority Area” within its Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP), enabling our partners to access critical funds that help prevent, prepare for, protect against, and respond to related threats. In 2022, DHS’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) provided over $250 million in funding to support target hardening and other physical security enhancements to non-profit organizations at high risk of terrorist attack. DHS remains focused on recognizing disinformation that threatens the security of the American people, including disinformation by foreign states such as Russia, China, and Iran, or other adversaries, including as transnational criminal organizations and human smuggling organizations. SchoolSafety.gov consolidates school safety-related resources from across the government. Through this website, the K-12 academic community can also connect with school safety officials and develop school safety plans. The DHS Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships continues to engage a coalition of faith-based and community organizations, including members of the Faith-based Security Advisory Council, to help build the capacity of faith-based and community organizations seeking to protect their places of worship and community spaces. This NTAS Bulletin will expire on May 24, 2023. This NTAS Bulletin provides the public with information about the threat landscape facing the United States, how to stay safe, and resources and tools to help prevent an individual’s radicalization to violence. The public should report any suspicious activity or threats of violence to local law enforcement, FBI Field Offices, or a local Fusion Center. Read the NTAS Bulletin HERE.

 

Rural Coalition Winter Forum, which will be held Thursday and Friday, January 19th and 20th, 2023

 

Greetings Rural Coalition Members, Allies, and Friends,   We are excited to announce this year’s Rural Coalition Winter Forum, which will be held Thursday and Friday, January 19th and 20th, 2023 at the Washington Plaza Hotel (10 Thomas Circle NW, Washington DC, 20005)!   Please join us as we gather to share the critical work our communities are doing, hear community concerns, share reflections, celebrate victories, and remember those who are no longer with us. We will also shape our strategy and build a platform for the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill. Meetings will be held all day Thursday and Friday, so we encourage you to make arrangements to arrive in Washington D.C. ahead of time.   ·    Register for the Winter Forum! Please let us know if you’ll participate and who will be in your delegation.    ·    Please make hotel reservations for your delegation as soon as possible to help assure we have enough rooms! The deadline to book your rooms under the Rural Coalition block is December 27. (Your room will not be charged until you arrive. If your plans change, please cancel rooms no later than 3:00 pm, 72 hours before your arrival date or you will be charged for the first night). Please reach out to an RC team member if you need additional assistance or have any questions.   ·    Sponsorships Welcome - Your sponsorship support for our Forum and our Anniversary dinner help us keep our costs lower, and to support full participation from our member communities. Please contact elliot@ruralco.org for details.     Special Events on Weds, Jan 18 (all at the Washington Plaza Hotel) - Please let us know by completing the registration form if you are interested in joining us for some special events the day before the Winter Forum.   ·    Workshop for Prospective Crop Insurance Agents or Adjustors (1:00pm - 5:00pm ET) - Interested in becoming a Crop Insurance Agent or Adjustor? Come learn from the Risk Management Agency and our partners about the process and the benefits. Encourage community members in your area (including already licensed insurance agents) to learn how to earn income while assisting producers to manage their risk with new more flexible crop insurance products.    ·    Training Meeting for the Food and Farm Worker Relief Project Partners, (12:00pm - 6:00pm ET) Co-Sponsored with Alianza Campesinas - Alianza Nacional de Campesinas has won an important USDA award to reimburse pandemic costs to farm and food workers across the nation. (For Project Partners only, this training focuses on the detail of the process to make payments to workers)   ·    Growing our Future” Workshop (10:00am - 5:00pm ET) - Growing our Future, led by Forum for the Future, is a unique collaboration that is bringing together representatives from across the US agriculture system (including farmers, BIPOC farm communities, agribusinesses, food service, food retailers, manufacturers and investors) to accelerate the transition to a just and regenerative agriculture system. Workshop discussions will focus on financing the transition to regenerative agriculture, social outcomes and accountability, shifting policy, and opening up pathways to accessing regenerative markets. This in-person workshop also aims to deepen relationships across the community and continue to equip stakeholders to understand their role in supporting a just and regenerative agriculture system. Please contact elliot@ruralco.org if you would like to participate in this workshop.   Need help with costs? We have asked our member groups to include travel and registration for the Winter Forum in their organization budgets, and we ask all who can cover costs to please do so. We understand not all members are able to do that, and we want to be sure we include everyone who wants to participate. Please let us know if you need assistance as soon as possible and no later than Dec. 15. But first, please complete the registration for your delegation for the Winter Forum and reserve the rooms you will need as soon as you are able.     Again, we hope you will be able to join us in person. We appeal to everyone to book rooms for your delegation here as soon as possible so we can reserve more rooms if necessary. For those who cannot join us in person this year we hope you will join us virtually!   In Cooperation, Rural Coalition         Estimados socios, aliados y amigos de RuralCo,   ¡Nos complace anunciar el Foro de Invierno de la Coalición Rural, que se celebrará el jueves y viernes, 19 y 20 de enero de 2023 en el Washington Plaza Hotel (10 Thomas Circle NW, Washington DC, 20005)!   Únase a nosotros mientras nos reunimos para compartir el trabajo crítico que están haciendo nuestras comunidades, escuchar las preocupaciones de la comunidad, compartir reflexiones, celebrar victorias y recordar a aquellos que ya no están con nosotros. También daremos forma a nuestra estrategia y construiremos una plataforma para la próxima Ley Agrícola de 2023. Las reuniones se llevarán a cabo todo el día el jueves y viernes, por lo que le recomendamos que haga arreglos para llegar a Washington D.C. con anticipación.   ·    ¡Regístrese para el Foro de Invierno! Favor de avisarnos si participará y quién estará en su delegación.   ·    ¡Favor de hacer reservaciones de hotel para su delegación lo antes posible para ayudar a asegurar que tendremos suficientes habitaciones! La fecha límite para reservar sus habitaciones en el bloque de la Coalición Rural es el 27 de diciembre. (Su habitación no se cobrará hasta que llegue. Si sus planes cambian, cancele las habitaciones para las 3:00 p.m., 72 horas antes de la fecha de llegada o se le cobrará la primera noche). Comuníquese con un miembro del equipo de la CR si necesita ayuda adicional o tiene alguna pregunta.   ·    Patrocinios bienvenidos - Su apoyo de patrocinio para nuestro Foro y nuestra cena de aniversario nos ayuda a mantener nuestros costos más bajos y a apoyar la participación total de nuestras comunidades de miembros. Comuníquese con elliot@ruralco.org para más detalles.     Eventos especiales el miércoles 18 de enero (todos en el Washington Plaza Hotel) - Favor de avisarnos si está interesado en unirse a nosotros para algunos eventos especiales antes del Foro de Invierno completando el formulario de inscripción.   ·    Taller para posibles agentes o ajustadores de seguros de cultivos (1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET) - ¿Está interesado en convertirse en un agente o ajustador de seguros de cultivos? Venga a aprender de la Agencia de Gestión de Riesgos y de nuestros socios sobre el proceso y los beneficios. Anime a los miembros de la comunidad en su área (incluidos los agentes de seguros ya autorizados) a aprender cómo obtener ingresos mientras ayuda a los productores a administrar su riesgo con nuevos productos de seguro de cultivos más flexibles.   ·    Reunión de capacitación para los socios del proyecto de ayuda alimentaria y para trabajadores agrícolas, (12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. ET) copatrocinado con Alianza Campesinas -Alianza Nacional de Campesinas ha ganado un importante premio del USDA para reembolsar los costos de la pandemia a los trabajadores agrícolas y alimentarios de todo el país. (Esta capacitación se enfoca en los detalles del proceso para realizar pagos a los trabajadores y es solo para socios del proyecto.)   ·    Taller "Cultivando nuestro futuro" (10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET) - El taller Cultivando nuestro futuro, liderado por Forum for the Future, es una colaboración que junta a representantes a través del sistema agrícola de EE.UU. (incluidos agricultores, comunidades agrícolas BIPOC, agronegocios, servicios de alimentos, minoristas de alimentos, fabricantes e inversores) para acelerar la transición a un sistema agrícola justo y regenerativo. Las discusiones del taller se centrarán en la financiación de la transición a la agricultura regenerativa, los resultados sociales, la rendición de cuentas, el cambio de políticas y la apertura de caminos para acceder a los mercados regenerativos. Este taller presencial también pretende profundizar las relaciones en toda la comunidad y continuar equipando a las partes interesadas para que comprendan su papel en el apoyo de un sistema agrícola justo y regenerativo. Comuníquese con elliot@ruralco.org si quiere participar en este taller.   ¿Necesita ayuda con los costos? Hemos pedido a nuestros grupos de miembros que incluyan los viajes y la inscripción para el Foro de Invierno en sus presupuestos de organización y pedimos a todos los que puedan cubrir los costos que lo hagan. Entendemos que no todos los miembros pueden hacer eso y queremos asegurarnos de incluir a todos los que quieran participar. Favor de avisarnos si necesita ayuda lo antes posible o para el 15 de diciembre. Pero primero, complete el registro de su delegación para el Foro de Invierno y reserve las habitaciones que necesitará tan pronto como pueda.    Una vez más, esperamos que pueda unirse a nosotros en persona. Alentamos a todos para que reserven habitaciones para su delegación aquí lo antes posible para que podamos reservar más habitaciones si es necesario. Para aquellos que no pueden unirse a nosotros en persona este año, esperamos que se unan a nosotros virtualmente.   En Cooperación, Su Coalición Rural       Support our Work / Apoya nuestro trabajo   Become a Member / Hágase miembro         Rural Coalition | 202-628-7160 | E-mail | Website     The Rural Coalition is a 501(c)3 organization. Contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.