Braver Angels brings Depolarization Tour to Utah communities

Braver Angels volunteers display signs reading "This is the place to build a house united" during a Utah organizing event. The national depolarization group launches a weeklong Mobile Summit tour Monday, offering free workshops in seven Utah cities aimed at bridging political divides. Photo: Braver Angels

SALT LAKE CITY — A national organization aimed at bridging America’s political divide is bringing a weeklong series of free workshops to seven Utah cities, offering tools for what organizers call “courageous citizenship” in an era of deepening partisan conflict.

Braver Angels, which describes itself as the nation’s largest grassroots depolarization effort, launches its Mobile Summit tour Monday with events scheduled through Nov. 22 in communities from Logan to St. George.

The traveling conference will feature workshops on immigration policy, constituent communication, and political dialogue led by national leaders and local volunteers. All public sessions are free.

“As Americans continue to navigate deepening political animosity, Braver Angels is meeting communities where they are: on the ground, in conversation and across differences,” the organization said in announcing the tour.

The initiative targets both ordinary citizens and elected officials. While most workshops are open to all, some sessions are designed specifically for officeholders and party officers struggling with divisive constituent interactions.

Braver Angels co-founder David Lapp kicked off the tour Monday evening in Salt Lake City. The schedule includes stops in Heber City, Park City, St. George, Utah County, and Logan.

Several sessions will focus on finding common ground on immigration, a topic that has proved particularly polarizing in national politics. The Citizens Commission on Immigration workshops are scheduled for Heber City, St. George, Utah County and Logan.

Park City and St. George will host specialized sessions on managing difficult conversations with constituents, restricted to elected officials and party officers.

The organization, founded to bring together liberals and conservatives, uses structured dialogue methods including workshops, town halls and debates. Its stated goal is helping Americans “understand each other beyond stereotypes, build trust and work together to strengthen our democratic republic.”

Registration information and full schedule details are available at braverangels.org.

SCHEDULE

Monday, Nov. 17, Salt Lake City: Mobile Caucus Kick-Off with co-founder David Lapp

Tuesday, Nov. 18, Heber City: Citizens Commission on Immigration workshop

Park City: Managing Difficult Conversations (elected officials only)

Wednesday, Nov. 19 St. George: Managing Difficult Conversations (elected officials only)

Thursday, Nov. 20, St. George: Citizens Commission on Immigration workshop

Friday, Nov. 21, Utah County: Citizens Commission on Immigration workshop

Saturday, Nov. 22, Logan: Citizens Commission on Immigration workshop