Chattanooga to join global anti-terrorism network

Mayor Andy Berke announced that Chattanooga will join the Strong Cities Network.
Mayor Andy Berke announced that Chattanooga will join the Strong Cities Network.

Chattanooga Mayor Andy Berke announced today that Chattanooga will join the Strong Cities Network, a group launched by the United Nations in 2015 to help cities counter terrorism and extremism.

Berke made the announcement during a speech in Antalya, Turkey, where he is attending a global summit of municipal-level leaders who are part of the Strong Cities Network.

Berke was one of five keynote speakers and discussed the July 16, 2015, terrorist attack during his address, according to a release from his office.

Fifty cities from around the world are part of the network, including a handful in the United States - Atlanta, Denver, Minneapolis and others.

Berke emphasized that cities must come together after terrorist attacks and said that Chattanooga did not respond with hate.

The summit is the first meeting for the network, which plans to meet annually. The goal of the Strong Cities Network is to help local-level politicians and leaders counter extremism by allowing leaders to share strategies and approaches.

Lacie Stone, senior advisor to Berke, said two city employees are currently in Turkey, including the mayor. She said that the U.S. State Department paid for the trip at no cost to the city.

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