Political Violence: What Counts and Who Decides?

Political Violence: What Counts and Who Decides?

Accusations of political violence are on the rise—especially during protests, elections, and times of national tension. But what actually counts as political violence? Does property damage qualify? With conflicting narratives and selective reporting, how do we know what’s true? In this conversation, we’ll explore how our definitions, experiences, and information sources shape what we see—and what we believe.

At this meeting, we’ll explore how people define political violence, what sources we trust, and how our understanding of truth may be shaped by political leanings and lived experience.

We’ll ask questions such as:

• What do you consider political violence, and how do you draw the line between protest, civil disobedience, and violence?
• How do you determine whether an act of violence is politically motivated—or justified?
• How do you respond to political actions that may not be violent themselves but could lead to violence?
• How do you think public reactions to political violence have evolved—and what influences those reactions?
• How do you decide whether reports or images of political violence are true, exaggerated, or misleading?
• How do your beliefs about political violence shape the way you engage with politics and with others?

This will be an opportunity to share your perspective, hear how others define and interpret political violence, and reflect on how we seek truth in a divided media landscape.