Updates from Erroll Southers and the Safe Communities Institute

March 11, 2021

The Safe Communities Institute hosted a book talk and Jessie Redd moderated the conversation with Dr. Joana Cook, featuring her work entitled, “A Woman’s Place, U.S. Counterterrorism Since 9/11.”

March 9, 2021

The Safe Communities Institute co-sponsored the “Protecting Your Family Webinar,” featuring SCI instructor Opal Singleton.

March 5, 2021

The San Diego Union quoted Erroll Southers in an article entitled, “Federal government finally puts domestic terrorism front and center.”

March 4, 2021

Erroll Southers gave a talk on “Homegrown Violent Extremism and Protecting Houses of Worship” to the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Operations Valley Bureau (OVB) Clergy Council Summit.

March 2, 2021

The Hillcrest Country Club hosted, “A Conversation with Dr. Erroll Southers on the Growing Threat Posed by Anti-Semitism, White Supremacy, and Domestic Terrorism.”

February 20, 2021

The Houston Chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists featured Malcolm Nance, Naveed Jamali and Erroll Southers for a panel discussion on the “Clubhouse” social media platform entitled, “The Threat From Within; Extremists, Law Enforcement, Media.”

February 16, 2021

Erroll Southers was a panelist for the UCLA School of Law forum on violent extremism, discussing the Capitol attack, terrorism laws, extremism in law enforcement and the nexus to 9/11 responses.

February 10, 2021

Erroll Southers was the guest for the Talkin’ Politics & Religion podcast, sharing insights on domestic terrorism, violent extremism and police reform

February 9, 2021

Erroll Southers was featured in a USC News article entitled, “Decades before the Capitol was stormed, this USC professor was researching domestic extremism

January 23, 2021

Erroll Southers appeared on MSNBC’s “Cross Connection” with Tiffany Cross to discuss the historic threat of white supremacy, domestic terrorism and the Capitol insurrection

WGN America News Nation interviewed Erroll Southers regarding the White House response to the domestic extremism threat

January 21, 2021

Trymaine Lee interviewed Erroll Southers for the MSNBC podcast “Into America” regarding “Fighting White Supremacy on Day One,” the challenges the Biden administration will face regarding the right-wing extremist white supremacy threat and the its infiltration into the law enforcement agencies tasked with those investigations

January 20, 2021

Erroll Southers joined other USA Today Opinion Board of Contributors, in publishing COVID recommendations for the incoming administration entitled, “What is the most important step Joe Biden can immediately take to address COVID?

January 19, 2021

USA Today quoted Erroll Southers in an article entitled, “‘Tough as nails’: Lawmakers to grill Avril Haines, Biden’s nominee for director of national intelligence

January 18, 2021

KCRW “Morning Edition” interviewed Erroll Southers about security precautions being taken at both the state capitol in Sacramento and in Los Angeles for possible protests by Pro-Trump extremists

January 17, 2021

German television network ZDF interviewed Erroll Southers regarding the security concerns for the presidential inauguration and possible hostile actions targeting state capitols

WGN America News Nation interviewed Erroll Southers regarding the ongoing domestic terror threat, inauguration security and protection of the nation’s state capitols

January 15, 2021

WGN America News Nation interviewed Erroll Southers to discuss the security preparations for the presidential inauguration at the U.S. Capitol and state capitols across the nation

Government Matters TV interviewed Erroll Southers regarding the intelligence and information sharing failures prior to the January 6 Capitol attack

January 14, 2021

Erroll Southers published an op-ed in USA Today entitled, “Capitol riot: Trump’s exit won’t end the far-right violent terrorism threats he fueled.” Southers is a member of the USA Today’s Board of Contributors.

“Honestly Speaking with Tara Setmayer“ podcast interviewed Erroll Southers regarding the level of possible level of coordination and cooperation within Capitol law enforcement and members of Congress to facilitate the breach of the Capitol, how the radicalization of these groups has grown and what we can expect for the upcoming Inauguration

January 13, 2021

Swing Left Podcast interviewed Erroll Southers regarding the elements of homegrown violent extremism in motivating the rioters who attacked the Capitol on January 6 and what communities and government will need to do to mitigate future recruitment activities.

January 12, 2021

Foreign Policy interviewed Erroll Southers regarding the security lapse and law enforcement failures associated with the January 6 Capitol riots entitled, “This Was Like Charlottesville on Steroids.”

January 9, 2021

WGN America News Nation interviewed Erroll Southers regarding the investigation into the suspects who attacked the United States Capitol, recommending changes for protecting federal buildings or state capitols and describing the concern over the reported plans for additional attacks on January 17

January 7, 2021

Roland Martin Unfiltered interviewed Erroll Southers regarding the Capitol security failures during the takeover of the United States Capitol by Trump supporters to stop the process of the presidential election certification by the Electoral College

Shep Smith of CNBC interviewed Erroll Southers regarding the Capitol security failures during the takeover of the United States Capitol by Trump supporters to stop the process of the presidential election certification by the Electoral College

The Lincoln Project interviewed Erroll Southers regarding the Capitol security failures during the takeover of the United States Capitol by Trump supporters to stop the process of the presidential election certification by the Electoral College

January 6, 2021

NBC4 Palm Springs interviewed Erroll Southers regarding the forcible occupation of the United States Capitol by Trump supporters to stop the process of the presidential election certification by the Electoral College

Jessica Yellen of News Not Noise interviewed Erroll Southers regarding the forcible occupation of the United States Capitol by Trump supporters to stop the process of the presidential election certification by the Electoral College

NBC4 Los Angeles interviewed Erroll Southers regarding the forcible occupation of the United States Capitol by Trump supporters to stop the process of the presidential election certification by the Electoral College

The National Black Network (NBN) interviewed Erroll Southers regarding the forcible occupation of the United States Capitol by Trump supporters to stop the process of the presidential election certification by the Electoral College

Spectrum News 1 interviewed Erroll Southers regarding the forcible occupation of the United States Capitol by Trump supporters to stop the process of the presidential election certification by the Electoral College

December 27, 2020

Erroll Southers was interviewed on NBC Palm Springs regarding the Nashville bombing.

December 27, 2020

Erroll Southers appeared on WGN America News Nation to provide an updated analysis of the Nashville bombing.

November 16, 2020

Erroll Southers authored an op-ed in the USA Today Opinion section entitled, “We voted out racist rhetoric. Now we need to end the white supremacist terror threat.

November 12, 2020

Jessica Yellin hosted Erroll Southers on her show News Not Noise, to discuss “The Threat of Homegrown Violent Extremism

October 26, 2020

The Daily Beast quoted Erroll Southers in an article entitled, “FBI Sits on Report Detailing White-Supremacist Terror Threat,” describing how the Bureau was failing to comply with the law in releasing a required report on domestic terrorism before an election that many security veterans fear may spark some level of violence.

October 21, 2020

Erroll Southers was was named to the USA Today Opinion Board of Contributors, a diverse group of writers with a broad range of expertise and views that span the political spectrum.

October 10, 2020

Erroll Southers appeared with Barbara McQuade, Naveed Jamali, and Rep. Pramila Jayapal on MSNBC’s AM Joy hosted by Jonathan Capehart to discuss “Civil War and The Thwarted Kidnapping Attempt of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.”

September 23 & 24, 2020

The U.S. State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) hosted Erroll Southers for a talk entitled, “COVID-19 and its Impact on Racial Violence" to more than 100 extremist violence experts from around the world.

September 10, 2020

The Duke University Sanford Triangle Center on Terrorism and Homeland Security hosted Daveed Gartenstein-Ross and Erroll Southers for a forum entitled, “White Supremacist Violent Extremism – How Can It Be Prevented?"

June 4, 2020

NBC4 quoted DCI Director Erroll Southers in an article entitled, “The Insurrection Act was last used in the 1992 Los Angeles riots. Invoking it again could undo years of police reform, some warn.”

May 31, 2020

SCI Director Erroll Southers provided real-time analysis for NBC4 News regarding the deployment of the National Guard in response to the violent protests in the city of Los Angeles.

May 14, 2020

Etai Handman interviewed SCI Director Erroll Southers for the Counter-terrorism Today Podcast, a joint project between the International Institute for Counter-Terrorism and the IDC (Interdisciplinary Center) in Herzliya, Israel. The show is a bi-weekly program addressing issue and dilemmas in the field of counterterrorism, hosting special interviews with experts in the field. They discussion centered on, “The Effects of COVID-19 on National Security.”

May 13, 2020 

SCI Director Erroll Southers gave a talk on the “The Virus of Hate” for the U.S.-French City-To-City Professional Exchange Program Teleconference on Countering Violent Extremism (CVE). The program was the facilitated by the World Learning Program partnering with the United States Embassy in Paris.

SCI Director Erroll Southers delivered a lecture on “The Virus of Hate” for the Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya, Israel International Institute for Counter-Terrorism. The ICT decided to use its unique global network of world leading experts in counter-terrorism to develop a special online series of short lectures as part of their new “Counterterrorism – Defense and Security” Program. Dr. Southers is an ICT Visiting Fellow and member of the International Counter-Terrorism Review (ICTR). 

May 12, 2020 

SCI Director Erroll Southers was appointed to the USC Project Restart – Community Collaboration Working Group, being managed by Samuel Garrison, Interim Senior Vice President, University Relations. Project Restart is our campus-wide effort to return to on-campus living, learning and working, involving working groups of more than 100 faculty, staff and students. 

May 10, 2020 

SCI Director Erroll Southers was quoted in the Los Angeles Times article, “Latest far-right tactic: Naming names, threatening people who report on coronavirus violations.” 

May 4, 2020 

SCI Director Erroll Southers was a guest on the Bedrosian Center podcast Unfair Nation, hosted by Bedrosian Visiting Fellow Ehsan Zaffar, to discuss “The Virus of Hate – Why the Coronavirus Has Become a Battle Cry for Extremists.” The show focused on the increased activities of hate and extremist related incidents with a nexus to COVID-19. 

May 1, 2020 

The Safe Communities Institute joined the USC Pacific Asia Museum, USC Shoah Foundation, USC Office of Equity and Diversity, and the USC Department of Public Safety for a webinar entitled, “Stronger Than Hate – Resources and Solutions at USC.” The forum harnessed the power of USC’s resources in the area of hate and extremism, outlining tangible resources and real solutions to better help our community navigate the complex challenges presented by this crisis. 

April 29, 2020 

SCI Director Erroll Southers was appointed to the Technical Advisory Group for the Mayor’s Roadmap to Recovery. Dr. Southers will be examining the critical infrastructure issues related to the City of Los Angeles proposed phased recovery from COVID-19. 

April 27, 2020 

SCI Director Erroll Southers was quoted in a Viterbi School of Engineering Magazine article entitled, “Can A Building Help Thwart The Next Active Shooter,” a research project engaging virtual reality technology in considering a future in which building security provides a dynamic response to active shooters. 

April 23, 2020 

Erroll Southers gave a talk entitled, “The Virus of Hate,” as part of Price Talks: Policy in a Pandemic, a virtual series examining policy challenges around the COVID-19 pandemic. Watch the full version or the highlights. 

April 17, 2020 

Publication: Building Preparedness in Response to Active Shooter Incidents: Results of Focus Group Interviews – International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction; Corresponding author: Burcin Becerik-Gerber; Listed co-author(s): Mr. Runhe Zhu, Dr. Gale Lucas, Dr. Erroll Southers. 

April 2, 2020 

In response to COVID-19, SCI Director Erroll Southers wrote “From the Desk of the Director – The Virus of Hate”, highlighting the ongoing threat of homegrown violent extremists, seeking to leverage the uncertainty surrounding the pandemic. 

February 27, 2020 

Channel Q’s Ally Johnson interviewed SCI Director Erroll Southers regarding the declaration of a National Emergency in response to the coronavirus global pandemic, on the show Drop The Subject. 

February 27, 2020 

New America awarded a position as an International Security Program (ISP) Fellow to SCI Director Erroll Southers to “focus on issues of homegrown violent extremism, recruitment and radicalization, as it relates to the domestic terrorism landscape.” New America is a think tank focused on a range of public policy issues, including national security studies, technology, asset building, health, gender, energy, education, and the economy. 

February 6, 2020 

SCI Director Erroll Southers presented a session on “The Current State of Homegrown Violent Extremism" to the PAC-12 Chiefs Meeting, hosting the police chiefs of the schools representing the Pacific-12 Conference.
The Safe Communities Institute hosted a delegation of counterterrorism experts from the Philippines, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program. The session was entitled, “Strong Cities, Strong Partnerships: A Comprehensive Approach To Preventing Terrorism In Southeast Asia: A Project for Philippines,” and featured a presentation by SCI Director Erroll Southers on “The Current State of Homegrown Violent Extremism in the United States.” 

February 4, 2020 

SCI Director Erroll Southers presented a session on Homegrown Violent Extremism and Protecting Houses of Worship at the First Christian Church in Studio City. 

January 31, 2020 

Safe Communities Director Erroll Southers was a guest on Stephanie Miller’s Happy Hour Podcast this week, to discuss counterterrorism and his role as a judge on BravoTV’s new show “Spy Games.” 

January 28, 2020 

The Safe Communities Institute hosted a delegation of counterterrorism experts from the Philippines, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program. The session was entitled, “Strong Cities, Strong Partnerships: A Comprehensive Approach To Preventing Terrorism In Southeast Asia: A Project for Philippines,” and featured a presentation by SCI Director Erroll Southers on “The Current State of Homegrown Violent Extremism in the United States.” 

November 20, 2019 

The Safe Communities Institute hosted the U.S. State Department International Visitor Leadership Program delegation from the Kyrgyz Republic to discuss Human Rights & Countering Violent Extremism: Supporting Police Partners & the Penal System. 

November 16, 2019 

The Safe Communities Institute presented a session on Homegrown Violent Extremism & Protecting Houses of Worship at the All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena. 

November 13, 2019 

The Safe Communities Institute presented a session on Homegrown Violent Extremism & Protecting Houses of Worship at a meeting of the Irvine Police Department Interfaith Council. 

November 8, 2019 

The Sol Price School of Public Policy’s Safe Communities Institute, in partnership with the Annenberg School of Communication hosted the USC Homegrown Violent Extremism Digital Summit. The Summit, offered exclusively online and at no cost, featured three panels: 1) Surviving Extremist Violence, 2) Extremism and Digital Media and 3) The Path Out of Extremism.  

November 6, 2019 

Erroll Southers spoke at the Los Angeles Police Department Terrorism Liaison Officer Summit on the topic of Homegrown Violent Extremism. 

October 29, 2019

Erroll Southers was an invited speaker at the 7th Annual Real Estate Conference. His presentation was entitled, Safety Concerns for Real Estate Owners Related to Shootings & Terrorism. 

October 17, 2019 

USC Price Professor David Sloane moderated a discussion with New York Times columnist David Sanger and Erroll Southers for the George Washington Leadership Lecture: Leadership and the Challenges of National Security at the Fred W. Smith National Library, at George Washington’s Mount Vernon. 

October 16, 2019 

Congressmember Karen Bass joined Erroll Southers at the USC Annual Conversations in Washington, D.C. for a discussion on Homegrown Violent Extremism and Protecting Houses of Worship at the USC D.C. Center. 

October 14, 2019 

Erroll Southers moderated a discussion at the USC Price Annual Conversations in New York on Homegrown Violent Extremism and Protecting Houses of Worship at The Harvard Club of New York City. Former FBI Agent and Brennan Center Fellow Michael German, Anti-Defamation League Associate Regional Director Rachel Grinspan and Mark Molinari, Deputy Inspector, Commanding Officer Hate Crimes Task Force for the New York Police Department joined him. 

September 30, 2019 

The Safe Communities Institute presented Homegrown Violent Extremism & Protecting Houses of Worship at the annual Shul by the Pool event. 

September 13, 2019 

The Safe Communities Institute hosted the U.S. Department of State International Visitor Leadership Program. The delegation represented A Project for Austria entitled, Building Strong Partnerships: A Comprehensive Approach to Preventing Terrorism. The SCI presented The Current State of Homegrown Violent Extremism to the group, joined by UCLA Prof. Alexandra Lieben, who lectures in the SCI Public Safety Leadership and Executive Leadership Programs on Conflict Mediation, Dispute Resolution, 

September 10, 2019 

The Safe Communities Institute presented Homegrown Violent Extremism & Protecting Houses of Worship to the Los Angeles Council of Religious Leaders, hosted by the Ward A.M.E. Church. 

September 5, 2019

Erroll Southers was the featured guest speaker at the “First Friday Salon” at Ocean Prime in Beverly Hills. His talk was on “The Current State of Homegrown Violent Extremism.”