As Election Day nears, uncertainty remains high over almost every aspect of the presidential race. In swing states, former President Donald Trump and Vice President Harris continue to poll closely. There have been two attempted assassinations against Trump. But many researchers and conflict mitigation practitioners are concerned that the possibility of political violence in the coming weeks and months may be more certain than it has in any recent election.

Among the worrying scenarios that organizations are planning for is one where Trump again loses and refuses to concede. Few, however, believe there will be a repeat of the January 6th attack at the U.S. Capitol. Instead, many say there may be organized efforts to interfere with state certification processes or local vote tallying efforts.

“It might be more diffuse, in lots of places across the country, which, in many respects, actually heightens the threat,” said Pete Simi, a professor of sociology at Chapman University.

  • grue@lemmy.world
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    7 hours ago

    “Every single number is elevated, from hate crimes, political homicides, people driving into protesters, you name it,” said Rachel Kleinfeld, senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

    Yet more fucking car-supremacist diminutive language. Running over protestors is “political homicide,” damn it!

    The consensus among experts is not just that political violence in the U.S. will become more diffuse in location, but that potential targets will be more varied, as well. Heightened polarization has extended the division between “left” and “right” so deeply that even people and organizations that do human services work are having to think about security.

    No, assholes, only the right has radicalized. Why do you think you have to falsely “both sides” it?

    Shit like this – constantly and systematically making little excuses for terrible people out of some misguided sense of politeness or decorum – is part of how we got into this mess in the first place!

    • OpenStars@piefed.social
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      7 hours ago

      I’m guessing that what they are calling political homicides are direct politicians being killed, as distinct from murders of civilians that involve political motivations.

      But stuff like this is why I am unsubscribing from this community. It seems more like it’s trying to foster “engagement” and that’s not why most of us came here.