Fighting the Flames: A Conversation With Former Members of Violent Organizations

Summary

On October 31, 2016, the Program on Extremism at George Washington University, in partnership with the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), hosted a discussion on countering violent extremism (CVE) with two former extremists and one former gang member. Program Director Lorenzo Vidino moderated the initial discussion on the similarities and differences in extremist collectives and gangs, and the panelists' experiences and viewpoints relating to counter-messaging, direct intervention and mentoring, the provision of off-ramps and exit strategies, disengagement, and de-radicalization. Speakers included:

• Jesse Morton, a former prominent jihadi propagandist, is a Research Fellow at the Program on Extremism
• Christian Picciolini, a former skinhead, is an Emmy-nominated television producer and co-founder of Life After Hate, an organization that works with individuals who wish to leave a life of hate and violence
• Sammy Rangel, a former member of the Maniac Latin Disciples gang, is the program coordinator for the SAFE Streets Outreach Program in  Wisconsin and started the self-help group Formers Anonymous.