The Bridge Initiative at Moritz
The Bridge Initiative at Moritz
Offering communities rapid consultation on processes for addressing community conflict.
Across the country, local government, law enforcement, and community leaders are grappling with increasing tensions associated with hate incidents and crimes, officer-involved shootings, and other incidents that have a lasting impact on individuals as well as entire communities. These local government and community leaders understand better than anyone the needs of their communities and share a sense of urgency to respond productively to civil unrest. And it is precisely in these times of crisis when the expertise of a mediator with experience developing processes that not only keep initial protests safe but also offer a path towards engaging the entire community in realizing more systemic reform is most valuable.
Our services
The Divided Community Project’s (DCP) Bridge Initiative at Moritz, a project based at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, seeks to fill this need as identified by local government, law enforcement, and community leaders. Upon request and at no cost, mediators and other experts with extensive experience in helping local leaders respond effectively to civil unrest and tension in communities across the country can help mediate conflicts between community and law enforcement, train local community members on effective strategies to keep protests safe, and offer technical assistance to executives and community members seeking to build sustainable infrastructure for inclusive engagement. In addition to their expertise associated with addressing community conflict, as people from outside the community, it may be easier for mediators to introduce and facilitate processes to meet the needs as identified by all the different parties in a community.
While mediators may introduce and help facilitate processes, the power driving the processes always comes from local leaders in the community, and they produce real results. Whether hosting tens of thousands in demonstrations without arrests or violence, or channeling demonstrators’ energies into planning improvements and tangible changes, working with mediators, local governments and leaders shape these processes as their own in order to help realize the full potential of their communities.
Examples of Support for Community Leaders Addressing Division and Unrest
Independent and trusted facilitators are exceptionally helpful in dealing with protest situations and have been used successfully in DCP executive committee and steering committee experiences in cities across the country following crisis events. Other facilitated dialogues could be open town hall meetings (following appropriate preparation), joint law enforcement-community sessions, and city resident-only meetings.
DCP personnel have had success mediating conflicts that arise between a) government officials and community groups and b) between protest groups, doing so in numerous communities throughout the country. Mediators can help bring about rules of engagement between protest groups and law enforcement, a peaceful end to a standoff, agreed upon changes to police or governmental policies, or operational steps for improving organizations and outcomes.
Receiving training to monitor your own rallies, protests and gatherings can help you minimize risk of violence and maximize the ability of individuals to exert their first amendment right of free speech safely. The US DOJ’s Community Relations Service created the model training for these purposes. Other trainings could include mediation training for police officers.
DCP personnel can consult with communities by providing referral to individuals and organizations who can help move the situation in a constructive and positive way. DCP personnel have experience in problem-solving in communities by bringing in needed expertise.
Funding for the Bridge Initiative at Moritz
Significant funding for the Bridge Initiative at Moritz comes from the JAMS Foundation. The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law provides significant in-kind support for this initiative.
Contact Us
Reach out to William Froelich at the Bridge Initiative via email or phone. Unless required by law, the Bridge Initiative at Moritz will treat contact with you regarding an interest in potentially engaging our services as confidential. This will apply to the provision of services as well.
Phone
614-688-4192