Thread by @cpicciolini

I need your help.

1) It's do or die for me right now. For first time in 20 years, I've had to ask myself if I can continue the work of extremist disengagement. The problem has grown too fast and my ability to scale intervention services to meet the need has reached its limits.

2) Most people don't know, but I have always self-funded my work. I was on the road 194 days in 2018 doing speaking gigs (in places where I can sneak in interventions), because proceeds go to fund my de-radicalization work at @FreeRadicalsOrg. Also was the case when I was at LAH.

3) This is why I need your help.
I've launched a fundraiser to raise $1M for @FreeRadicalsOrg to train and hire other former extremists like me, many who've been with me for years, to provide these critical services faster & across the United States. hateisnotahoax.com

4) But there have been roadblocks, like govt eliminating funding for programs that combat white supremacy & domestic terrorism. Our liability insurance skyrocketed and now they dropped me for being "high risk." I asked them, what's more high risk? Doing this work or not doing it?

5) While we've received thousands of "thoughts & prayers for the heroic work" emails, and just as many desperate requests for help (I've referred 2 potential mass shooter cases in just the last wk), we are now faced with either growing now as an organization or closing our doors.

6) I don't ask for help often, but now I really need it. I hope you will consider donating to @FreeRadicalsOrg and passing this important campaign along to your network of followers/friends. Details can be found here: hateisnotahoax.com
Please help me stop hate. Thank you.

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@FreeRadicalsOrg @threadreaderapp @DeanObeidallah @morgfair @jaredlholt @selectedwisdom @AndrewYang @JoyAnnReid @chaunceydevega @ChrisCuomo @secupp @chrislhayes @AliVelshi @SRuhle @AnaCabrera @camanpour @TherealTaraji @OshaDavidson @Lawrence @LesterHoltNBC @timjacobwise @donlemon @irobyn @maddow @shaunking

@FreeRadicalsOrg @threadreaderapp We need to fund @FreeRadicalsOrg because we need to hire people like @_Shan_Martinez_, @scottkernest, @CosmicMak, @von_Brunn, #Clint, #Rob, and so many other brilliant formers. Train them for intervention. Researchers like @ashkenaz89. It's not for lack of talent or trying...

...but intervention and deradicalization work takes time and building new support networks in every community we serve. What sets me apart is I ALWAYS (eventually) meet face-2-face with the people I work w/ anywhere in the 🌎. It takes work & $. To me, a "program" means we're F2F

If F2F means one less Nazi, whitnat, Proud Boy, bigot, racist, or potential terrorist on the street, I would do it 10x a day. I've helped hundreds. Imagine what 10 of "me" could do? Trust me. Informed formers are the antidote to this sickness. W/ solid academics and psychs w/ us.

Imagine what we could do. We don't want to be Homeland Security when it comes to domestic terrorism, but someone has to be right now. We try to get there before it's too late. Support @FreeRadicalsOrg if you can. donate.freeradicals.org/hateisnotahoax

@FreeRadicalsOrg @threadreaderapp @DeanObeidallah @morgfair @jaredlholt @selectedwisdom @AndrewYang @JoyAnnReid @chaunceydevega @ChrisCuomo @secupp @chrislhayes @AliVelshi @SRuhle @AnaCabrera @camanpour @TherealTaraji @OshaDavidson @Lawrence @LesterHoltNBC @timjacobwise @donlemon @irobyn @maddow @shaunking @fakedansavage @alanalda @CASottile @democracynow @GregProops @sallykohn @KristenBell @aspenideas @GeraldWebb @BaselYHamdan @MMFlint @elijahwood @TEDxMileHigh @FullFrontalSamB @kerrywashington @jordanklepper @MitchAlbom @MichaelGMasters @highresolves @PaulRieckhoff @RenaSofer