What is the Building Civic Bridges Act and Why Support it?

n the early 2020s, a YMCA near Seattle was stunned when physical fights began breaking out between members over political disagreements. It became so bad, the YMCA hired consultants to train their staff in conflict resolution and planned a series of events to help bridge differences in the community. They asked their federal Representative for help.

Around the same time, in the same district, religious institutions were attacked. One was vandalized, another was burned to the ground, and at a third community, the faith leaders were assaulted. An interfaith event was held in response, bridging differences in the community and showing the solidarity and strength of a nation in which we have the freedom to live and worship as we choose. These leaders, too, asked their federal Representative for help.