Support Civil Discourse with Tides

On July 18, 2010, following a shootout with the California Highway Patrol, law enforcement officials arrested an assailant who had targeted the Tides Foundation and the ACLU for violence. Since then, we have been clear in our message that it should be the obligation of every American, especially those whose voices are amplified by the media, to foster civil discourse and dialogue among those who may disagree about public matters. This call for civil discourse has been joined by Independent Sector, discussed in the Washington Post, Chronicle of Philanthropy, and the Huffington Post, and highlighted in the work of organizations like Media Matters.

This recent incident is just the latest reminder of the intolerant climate that has been created by the demagogues and fear mongering pundits of the right-wing. To ensure that Tides can respond to other moments, we are launching the Tides Civil Discourse Fund.

The Danger of Intolerance

When do people know they are contributing to intolerance that may lead to violence? When is silence complicity?  When is it time to stand up to those voices and say, "Enough"?

The afternoon of July 19th, the Oakland Police Department called the Tides office to inform us that the man who survived a shoot-out with the California Highway Patrol last Saturday night had intended to target our organization. It was shocking: an American seeking to reign terror on fellow Americans.

Tides CEO Statement on 580 Incident

We are greatly dismayed to learn from law enforcement officials that the man arrested over the weekend following a shootout with the CHP had targeted the Tides Foundation for violence. To the best of our knowledge, this person has never had contact with any Tides organization or program. As there is an ongoing investigation into this incident, we will not speculate as to what his motivations may have been.

Ellen Friedman Says Farewell

After 24 amazing years of innovative partnerships, working with the world's most cutting edge organizations and watching the organization grow from a handful of people in a downtown office to a 125 person thriving enterprise, today, June 30, 2010 is my last day at Tides.