DENVER (CN) — Can reading "The Turner Diaries" inspire violence? When does free speech become hate speech? Should you be worried about a woman asking security guards about their shift rotation at the train station?
Following a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, the newly renovated Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab in downtown Denver aims to answer these questions in light of ever growing and evolving threats of global terrorism and violent extremism.
Following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, Larry Mizel founded the organization with his daughter, Courtney, hoping to educate the public about national security threats. The permanent exhibit closed in late 2019 for a multimillion-dollar renovation to update and expand its content, in addition to adding interactive video displays.
Mizel pivoted to opening the center after spending more than four decades running the home finance company MDC Holdings.
On one black wall in bold white typeface, the Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab defines terrorism as “the premediated use of violence or threat of violence targeting civilians or their property for political, religious, or ideological gain. It is a tactic used to create an environment of fear, chaos, and intimidation in order to further the terrorist’s objectives.”
Mizel broke from his prepared speech to reflect on what the reopening meant for him.
“All of us look to the news before bed, and now terrorism is everywhere,” Mizel said. “I remember when we first opened and put ‘terrorism’ on the sign, and people said ‘you can’t use that word,’ and now everyone knows about what’s happening.”
Like Mizel, visitors begin by learning about 9/11, with an interactive video presentation from survivors and first responders who were inspired to serve their communities in the wake of the tragedy.
After passing an eight-foot-long piece of steel, twisted and burned in the World Trade Center's destruction, visitors can learn about dozens of recent acts of terrorism laid out across a map of the world. The display, which is updated weekly, currently includes Russian atrocities in Ukraine as well as college campus protests.
A 60-minute journey through the museum takes visitors around the world and through nearly 100 years of curated history. Panels highlight various catalysts and belief systems behind many violent acts of terror, including extremism driven by religious, nationalist and political beliefs, on both the right and the left, as well as racism and bigotry. Hate is an equal opportunity employer.
The final hall invites visitors to consider the tensions between protecting civil liberties and increasing security against threats. Case studies include the National Security Agency's mass surveillance PRISM program, Obama-era drone strikes and the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville.
After learning about these issues, visitors are invited to play judge, keying their responses into a visual display beside a bar graph showing how others decided the cases.
There is no gift shop, but before leaving, one last video screen plays messages of hope, aiming to empower people to use lessons learned in their day-to-day lives.
Beginning May 9, the Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab will be open to the general public Fridays and Saturdays, and for group tours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Adults tickets cost $16, with discounts offered for seniors, students and military personnel. Given the content, children under 14 are discouraged from visiting.
Before cutting the bright red ribbon at the door, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, reflected on the importance of the exhibit’s return to the Mile High City.
“Amid a diverse range of threats, we know the power and importance of remaining vigilant,” Polis said. “Hate has no home in Colorado and the CELL’s dedication to educating and empowering individuals helps provide certainty and hope.”
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