ISSUE: Education

Threats and harassment against local officials rose in February following two months of lower activity in the aftermath of the election. BDI’s Threats and Harassment Dataset (THD) captured more than 50 events for the month, marking an increase of nearly 40% from January. The rise in hostility was fueled in part by the knock-on effects of national political dynamics playing out at the local level, including an uptick in threats and harassment targeting school officials related to debates over education policy and DEI initiatives.

Drawing on more than 820 survey responses from school board members, almost 40 in-depth interviews with impacted officials, and BDI’s longitudinal dataset of threat and harassment events, our new report presents a full mixed methods analysis of targeted hostility facing local school boards.

BDI produces regular state-focused situation reports (SitReps) on key risk trends and activity to help partners identify early warning signs of political or election violence in Ohio.

BDI produces regular state-focused situation reports (SitReps) on key risk trends and activity to help partners identify early warning signs of political or election violence in North Carolina.

BDI produces regular state-focused situation reports (SitReps) on key risk trends and activity to help partners identify early warning signs of political or election violence in Pennsylvania.

BDI produces regular state-focused situation reports (SitReps) on key risk trends and activity to help partners identify early warning signs of political or election violence in North Carolina.