While overt antisemitism and bigotry don’t often emerge in Prince William County, it pays to raise awareness of the issues.

Antisemitism is prejudice, hatred, discrimination, violence and oppression aimed at Jewish people.

The Human Rights Office will host a free forum with a panel discussion at 7 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 23, at the Dr. A.J. Ferlazzo Auditorium, 15941 Donald Curtis Drive in Woodbridge, to discuss antisemitism and bigotry that can adversely affect entire communities.

“The forum is to initiate a community dialogue to prevent rather than address an existing major problem,” said Raul Torres, the Prince William County Human Rights Office executive director.

The panel at the event will include representatives from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and members of the Jewish community, as well as the county’s Human Rights Office and Police Department. Jewish community members will talk about their experiences, and police representatives will talk about past incidents of antisemitism and bigotry in Prince William County.

A question-and-answer session will follow the panel discussion during the roughly 90-minute event, which is open to all.

The event is aimed at raising awareness and helping people recognize the signs of antisemitism and bigotry.

“This forum will help promote and build unity in our community. Many good things come out of discussing issues openly within the community,” Torres said.

For more information about the Prince William County Human Rights Office, visit https://www.pwcva.gov/department/human-rights.