Current initiatives

Stop Targeting Public Officials

A Citizen-Led Initiative to Reduce Hostility and Threats Toward Public Officials in Minnesota
Sponsored by Braver Angels

Public officials at the local and state level are increasingly subjected to hostile and threatening language from citizens. This initiative seeks to reduce that behavior, not by limiting disagreement or political passion, but by changing norms for how citizens communicate with public officials.

Strong disagreement with public officials is normal and necessary. But insults, accusations, intimidation, and threats have become more common and, in some settings, accepted and encouraged. Local and state officials are especially exposed: they often lack security staff and institutional buffers. They receive hostile messages directly. Over time, repeated attacks can become a form of cumulative psychological battering—discouraging public service and increasing the risk of violence of the kind we have witnessed in Minnesota.

This initiative is not only about protecting officials. It is about effective citizenship. Hostile and threatening language is a poor way to influence public decisions: it hardens positions, shuts down listening, and shifts attention away from substance and toward protection. It fuels polarization when each side focuses on incoming hostility and excuses outgoing hostility as payback. It also shapes who is willing to serve. When public roles become arenas of constant personal attack, communities risk losing thoughtful, capable leaders and attracting only those prepared for perpetual combat.

This citizen-led initiative focuses on norm-setting, not rule-making, and on drawing firmer lines between vigorous critique and personal attack that can contribute to dangerous escalation. It invites civic leaders and organizations to help change how public officials are treated—so capable people continue to serve and Minnesota communities remain places for constructive problem solving.

Action steps
Led by Braver Angels, the Stop Targeting Public Officials initiative will begin with pilots in several communities. We will first seek the moral support of public officials and ask them to recommend civic leaders from a wide range of sectors—business, religion, nonprofits, former officials, membership clubs, sports leagues, and others. Public officials themselves will not be asked to lead the initiative because this could appear self-serving. Instead, we will recruit civic leaders to work with us to call attention to the problem and begin a community conversation about norms for interacting with public officials in the face of disagreement. At the community level, this may involve public forums and media attention. At the individual level, citizens could be invited to take this pledge:

• I will treat public officials like neighbors—even when I disagree with them.

• I will challenge their decisions, not their character.

• I will speak up when people around me target public officials.

To see examples of behaviors can become harassment, visit Stop Targeting Public Officials - Crossing the Line (PDF)

Minnesota: Land of Neighbors

Braver Angels Minnesota joins with other groups to design and launch campaign

Given that many Minnesotans are exhausted by division and outrage in our state and the nation, Braver Angels Minnesota and other groups that work to bridge divides joined forces to create the campaign. 

The ultimate goal is to create something better for the people and communities we care about and demonstrate that even in a divided time, we can see what we share. 

"We come from different places, have different beliefs and see the world differently,” said Bill Doherty, a co-founder of Braver Angels. “This isn't about pretending differences don't exist. Land of Neighbors will explore where we have common ground and where we can start to build trust and take action together."

Minnesotans already have a history of showing up for one another. We may not agree on everything, but many of us desire more humanity in how we live together. Connection starts close to home — in our communities, schools, workplaces and congregations. It can grow throughout our state. 

To begin, the campaign will host a series of Listening Sessions around the state. The first one was held in Fergus Falls on July 15, followed by Aug. 18 in Lake City.  We want to hear directly from more Minnesotans about their hopes, values, concerns and ideas for what comes next. The information gathered by the campaign will be used to design opportunities for Minnesotans to connect, build relationships and take action on the things that matter most.

How can Minnesotans get involved?

• Check out the website: Minnesota: Land of Neighbors

• Follow the campaign on social media, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and TikTok.

• Join an upcoming listening session 

• Subscribe to the Land of Neighbors email list for updates.

• To learn more about people's exhaustion from division and outrage, visit The Hidden Tribes of America. 

Your voice can help shape  Minnesota: Land of Neighbors, a new statewide campaign to better understand what Minnesotans value and how we can foster stronger communities across our state. Listening Sessions are being held throughout Minnesota to ensure that we hear from as many people as possible.

Organized by Braver Angels Minnesota, Civic Bridgers and Common Ground USA, the campaign is funded by a group of Minnesota foundations committed to strengthening civic life. Learn more at minnesotalandofneighbors.org.