NIOT E-News Be Together Now, Police Reform, Remebering Oak Creek

BE TOGETHER NOW

NIOT Community Response After Devastating Killings


NIOT inter-faith community prayer service, Bloomington, IL

We are heartened by our Not in Our Town network members and communities, whose on-the-ground actions

show us what we can do if we are committed to healing divisions and addressing intolerance.

Reports from our Gold Star Pilot Cities were especially inspiring. Here's one from Bloomington-Normal, IL:

Two weeks ago, 400 people packed a church in Bloomington to remember Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, and the five police officers killed in Dallas. Just two weeks earlier, Executive Producer Patrice O'Neill had traveled to Bloomington-Normal to attend the 20th anniversary of the NIOT movement there.

As this town deepens its efforts to build a more inclusive future, they are showing us that change is possible when a community makes a longterm commitment to prevent hate.

New Films on Police Reform

Change in Progress


Executive Producer Patrice O'Neill, Producer Helene Biandudi Hofer, and Sgt. Ralph Thornton of Camden PD

As trauma and anger over the racism that persists in our country is played out in communities' relationships with police, NIOT is filming new stories about law enforcement role models who are working to effect change in their cities.

NIOT's work with the Department of Justice COPS Office and the President's Task Force on 21st Century Policing led us to Camden, NJ where we are filming a story on police reform in what has been labeled one of the most violent cities in America.

Our team is seeing what change in process looks like when a police chief and their department are truly committed to building a police force of "guardians" of the community, rather than warriors.

Remembering August 5th in Oak Creek

The Chardhi Kala: Relentless Optimism


Chardhi Kala 6k Race

After four years we still grieve the six lives lost on August 5 th, 2012 when a white supremacist opened fire at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek , WI.

Not In Our Town told the story in the film, Waking In Oak Creek. You can access it here and watch it with your family and community as a way to remember and a way to bridge differences in these troubled times.

On the anniversary of this tragic shooting, Oak Creek will be hosting the Chardhi Kala 6k in memory of the lives lost in 2012, and in celebration of bringing the community together.

"Chardhi Kala" is the spirit of relentless optimism: a philosophy that empowers us to persevere and grow from hardship.

"We would be honored if you would join us in remembering the loved ones lost on that horrific day. Your presence would show that this is not only a Sikh tragedy, but also an American tragedy. We must take a stand against violence by coming together with kindness and love," from the Oak Creek community.

NIOT in the White House

Paul Di Lella and Patrice O'Neill at the White House

Paul Di Lella, NIOT Director of Law Enforcement Relations and Patrice O'Neill, NIOT Executive Producer, travelled to the White House to report on President Obama's task force of 21st century policing.

Check niot.org/cops for more soon.