Governor Hochul and Bipartisan Coalition of Elected Leaders Meet to Highlight Shared Commitment to Standing Against Political Violence

Governor Kathy Hochul today convened a meeting with a bipartisan group of elected leaders to highlight a shared commitment to standing against political violence and bringing down the temperature on inflammatory rhetoric. The bipartisan group received a briefing from the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services about the correlation of volatile language to an increase in threats of political violence. Political violence is preventable, and today's meeting shows that bipartisan political cooperation can send a message that political violence is unacceptable.

"Incidents of political violence in America are not isolated, and here in New York, we are advancing the critical conversation addressing the disturbing rise of these political attacks," Governor Hochul said. "Today I convened a bipartisan group of leaders to discuss what is truly necessary in this moment: reducing the temperature of inflammatory rhetoric that leads to violence and ensuring our communities are safe and tolerant places for all. We can debate our differences without demeaning each other."

Commissioner of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Jackie Bray said, "Condemning the violence is not enough, our leaders must also condemn the dehumanizing, radicalizing rhetoric that leads to violence. Today, we took time to walk through some of the worrying information and data that people in jobs like mine all over the nation use. It is my hope that this will better equip all of our elected officials here in New York, whether they are Democrats or Republicans, so that we can join together to be a part of the solution and not part of the problem."

The briefing detailed information about the current threat environment. The following details and statistics were noted in the briefing:

• Lone offenders and small groups of individuals are motivated by a range of ideologies, socio-political beliefs and personal grievances.
• Lone offenders and small groups of individuals are radicalized online after exposure to large amounts of propaganda, mis-/dis/mal- information (MDM) and narratives that are amplified in both extremist and mainstream places.
• The data shows they are frequently inspired to mobilize to violence by previous attackers and current events and make plans to attack a wide range of targets using easily accessible weapons.
• In the last decade partisan-motivated terrorist attacks against government targets have increased from representing 0 percent of overall anti-government attacks to more than 50 percent in 2024.
• Recent surveys have found that 26.2 percent of Americans - over 68 million people - believe violence is usually or always justified to advance a political objective.
• In the two days following the assassination of Charlie Kirk, mentions of "Civil War" on X, formerly known as Twitter, jumped from less than 50,000 to more than 200,000.
• In June, Latin American communities and the mainstream political left entered the top ten targeted categories for the first time since August 2022. Their emergence corresponds with a spike in political demonstrations and recent acts of political violence, suggesting support for violence against these groups -and for political violence more broadly - in response to recent events.

The briefing also outlined a number of actions that can be taken by individuals to tone down the rhetoric, including:

• Condemning all acts of political violence regardless of motivation.
• Lowering the temperature by calling for calm and patience.
• Modeling respectful language when speaking about victims.
• Encouraging in healthy and nonviolent ways to express dissent and becoming politically active to promote change.
• Exercising free speech responsibly.
• Avoiding demonizing and dehumanizing any person or group.
• Do not amplify conspiracy theories and unvalidated and unvetted information.
• Do not exaggerate and use rhetoric of existential threats, including references to civil war or equate extremist beliefs with mainstream political parties.
• Avoid assuming motives or unknown information related to an incident without factual information

Senate Majority Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris said, "Political violence has no place in a functioning democracy, where differences should be resolved through debates and elections, not guns. In this critical moment, we must stand together so that we are not further torn apart. I thank Governor Hochul for uniting us and leading on this critical issue."

Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes said, "Violent political ideology has no place in our democracy. The instances of people being attacked or killed for their political beliefs is horrifying. We can agree to disagree on political issues and more forward with what we believe is right and just for the people we serve. But amplifying extremist rhetoric only encourages people to act on their worst impulses. I applaud Governor Hochul's effort to bring together a bi-partisan group to say 'lets tone it down.' There are better ways to get our political points across and we need to do a better job at exercising those alternatives."

"Incidents of political violence in America are not isolated, and here in New York, we are advancing the critical conversation addressing the disturbing rise of these political attacks."

Broome County Executive Jason Garnar said, "I want to thank Governor Hochul for inviting me to sit down with folks from both sides of the aisle to talk honestly about the dangerous tone in politics today. It was good to see Republicans and Democrats in the same room, looking for ways to cool things down and keep our communities safe. I'm proud to support the Governor's effort to bring people together and focus on what unites us instead of what divides us."

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson said, "Our country is at an inflection point, and it's up to us as leaders to take a stand against the vitriol and violence we're seeing across our nation. I want to thank Governor Kathy Hochul and the leaders on today's call for standing up for peace and civility."

Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said, "In Westchester, we've shown that stability, competence and civility to work across differences can deliver real results for the people we serve. I want to thank Governor Hochul for her leadership in bringing us together with a bipartisan coalition to explore common ground on eliminating rhetoric that can lead to political violence. We have to get back to a time when we saw more of what we had in common than the differences that divide us-and I'm committed to extending that spirit across the state, turning down the volume, and building a stronger future together."

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine said, "Political violence is never the answer. These horrific incidents do not solve anything and only inspire more violence. Regardless of ideology, we must unite in opposition to incendiary rhetoric and denounce acts of violence. We must turn away from depravity and toward humanity."

Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger said, "I greatly appreciate Governor Hochul's efforts to reduce political violence. Public servants have a shared responsibility to engage in respectful dialogue. The health of our democracy and public safety depend on it."

Orange County Executive Steve Neuhaus said, "The only way to stop political violence that has plagued our country is to work together as Americans. I am committed to working alongside all my colleagues in elected office to put it into this violence."

Erie County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz said, "Political violence has no place in our society and can never be an acceptable way to settle our differences. In a free and democratic society, it is the power of ideas and speech that produces positive change, and we settle our differences at the ballot box, never through the tools of violence and fear. As someone who knew Melissa Hortman, I am especially honored to join my fellow elected officials at all levels, speaking with one voice, to say that New York State will always condemn these hateful acts and that we must cooperate to end the violence. Thank you Governor Hochul for calling this meeting as New York leads the way again."

Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso said, "Political violence has taken too firm of a hold across our country. It's destructive, chaotic, and cannot become the new norm. This bipartisan group sends a clear message across New York State - political violence is not welcome in our communities. I thank Governor Hochul for leading the way to tone the temperature down in our state."

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. said, "Under no circumstance should politically motivated violence ever be tolerated, accepted or normalized. It is the antithesis of everything we hold dear as a democracy, where we settle our differences through healthy debate and free elections, and violates every basic element of our shared humanity. The emboldening and politicizing of hatred for the 'other' in our nation in recent years threatens to tear at the very fabric of our nation, but it's not too late to turn back and turn the temperature down. Thank you to Governor Hochul for convening this coalition, and I look forward to the work ahead in ensuring cooler heads ultimately prevail."

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said, "Democracy does not work when politics are met with violence. The assassination of Charlie Kirk is a direct attack on our First Amendment and all people, regardless of party affiliation, must realize that our right to free speech is under threat. We must come together to end this violence and never give in to hate or lose our rights to express our views without fear."

Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino said, "I appreciate Governor Hochul's efforts to bring people together and remind us that what unites us will always be stronger than what divides us. Together we can set the tone, leading with kindness and respect, moving our community and our nation forward on common ground issues irrespective of our political or ideological positions."

New York State Association of Counties President Phil Church said, "On behalf of county leaders, I echo the Governor's call for unity and reconciliation. Political differences are not only healthy - they are essential to the vitality of a strong democracy. These differences, discussed constructively and for the good of all, are what lead us to the compromises that move our nation forward. We must reject violence in every form. Now more than ever, federal, state, and local officials must work together to heal divisions, foster mutual respect, and use our differences as a springboard for progress that benefits all our people."

New York Conference of Mayors Executive Director Barbara VanEpps said, "With the disturbing rise in political violence across the country, this type of security briefing could not be more timely. Local officials play an essential role in fostering civil discourse and maintaining public trust, and it is critical that they have the tools, guidance and support they need to keep themselves and their communities safe. NYCOM is grateful to Governor Hochul for convening this discussion and for continuing to prioritize the safety and well-being of the people of New York State."

Contact the Governor's Press Office