Newtown Allies For Change (NAFC) and other local participants are preparing for a public event rooted in programming by the United States Department of Justice, and aimed to educate on identifying, reporting, and preventing hate crimes.

The free program, “United Against Hate,” includes additional collaborators including the Newtown and Connecticut State Police, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Registration has begun for the event, which is scheduled to take place at Newtown Community Center, 8 Simpson Street, on Wednesday, October 25, from 6 to 8 pm.

NAFC Vice Chair Nicole Maddox said the DOJ called her directly in June to initiate a partnership for the program, and emphasized that while the DOJ made NAFC’s logo a little bigger on the flier, the event is “a group effort.”

“It’s a national program, and so the Department of Justice partners with communities and when they do so, everyone plays a role,” Maddox said of the collaborators. “We will all be part of the panel discussion that day.”

Maddox said in Newtown and across the nation, there is confusion on what constitutes a hate crime, as well as how to report and prevent them.

“We at Newtown Allies for Change, and even honestly, the Newtown Police Department, don’t necessarily have the expertise needed to present on those topics and answer questions,” she said. “I think the collaboration of all these various entities should make it a program whereby we can really learn about all of those things then see how our roles connect with one another.”

Touching on the trajectory of the program, Maddox expressed participants could expect local examples of reported hate crimes in the state or nationally, and examples of lawsuits where hate crimes are involved.

According to Maddox, participants will also have the opportunity to have pertinent questions answered by panelists. A designated area for questions is included in the online registration for the event.

The vice chair addressed the importance of the event by commenting on recent and local hate crime occurrences, including acts of vandalism on the Trinity Church intersex-inclusive progress pride flag signs and acts of anti-Semitism occurring in town.

“There’s been, in the past two years, some information out there as to potential neo-Nazi groups in the area,” continued Maddox, who specified Southbury in particular as it relates to this activity. “It’s important for people to understand what they’re seeing and when they should say something.”

Maddox said although topics addressed by Newtown Allies for Change may often specifically address concerns of marginalized people, the entire community benefits when everyone makes related issues “[their] own.”

She added it is important for people to know the event is in partnership with Newtown Police, as it is a mission for Newtown PD “to eliminate and address hate crimes in Newtown.”

Relating her thoughts about the format of a live forum, Maddox talked about forms of communication other than face-to-face discussions and how they can often involve miscommunication or misunderstanding.

“It’s important to emphasize that only with real-life community discussions, not conversations behind keyboards — it’s when we come together as a community and talk about important topics that we can truly start to address them,” said Maddox.

Maddox encouraged those interested to register as there is limited space, as well as to come out “with an open mind, and be ready to talk.”

To register for the “United Against Hate” NAFC event, click on the link on newtownallies.org/events.

To learn more about the national program, visit the DOJ’s website at justice.gov/hatecrimes/spotlight/united-against-hate.

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Reporter Noelle Veillette can be reached at noelle@thebee.com.

Newtown Allies For Change and other local participants are preparing for a public event rooted in programming by the United States Department of Justice, and aimed to educate on identifying, reporting, and preventing hate crimes.