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[[File:SPLC_Logo.jpg|right]]

[[File:SPLC_Logo.jpg|right]]

The '''Southern Poverty Law Center''' is a far-Left legal and activist [[organization]] created in 1971 in Montgomery, [[Alabama]]. It was founded by trial lawyers Morris Dees and Joe Levin, and its first president was civil rights leader Julian Bond, who would later take control of the [[NAACP]]. SPLC supports a wide variety of liberal positions; it is pro-[[immigration]] (both legal and [[illegal immigration|illegal]]), advocates [[multiculturalism]] and the [[homosexual agenda]], supports [[Muslim]]s and racial preferences and defendants' rights, and advocates against what it considers "hate groups". In 2012, Black pastors confronted the Southern Poverty Law Center for smearing as "hate groups" pro-family organizations opposed to [[homosexual agenda]]. <ref>http://americansfortruth.com/2012/0/16/press-conf-black-pastors-confront-southern-poverty-law-center-for-smearing-pro-family-organizations-opposed-to-homosexual-agenda-as-hate-groups/</ref>

The '''Southern Poverty Law Center''' is a far-Left legal and activist [[organization]] created in 1971 in Montgomery, [[Alabama]]. It was founded by trial lawyers Morris Dees and Joe Levin, and its first president was civil rights leader Julian Bond, who would later take control of the [[NAACP]]. SPLC supports a wide variety of liberal positions; it is pro-[[immigration]] (both legal and [[illegal immigration|illegal]]), advocates [[multiculturalism]] and the [[homosexual agenda]], supports [[Muslim]]s and racial preferences and defendants' rights, and advocates against what it considers "hate groups". In 2012, Black pastors confronted the Southern Poverty Law Center for smearing as "hate groups" pro-family organizations opposed to [[homosexual agenda]].<ref>http://americansfortruth.com/2012/0/16/press-conf-black-pastors-confront-southern-poverty-law-center-for-smearing-pro-family-organizations-opposed-to-homosexual-agenda-as-hate-groups/</ref>

Reverend Dr. Patrick Wooden declared that it is wrong to compare "my beautiful blackness" with [[homosexuality|homosexual]] perversion.<ref>http://americansfortruth.com/2012/01/16/press-conf-black-pastors-confront-southern-poverty-law-center-for-smearing-pro-family-organizations-opposed-to-homosexual-agenda-as-hate-groups/</ref>

Reverend Dr. Patrick Wooden declared that it is wrong to compare "my beautiful blackness" with [[homosexuality|homosexual]] perversion.<ref>http://americansfortruth.com/2012/01/16/press-conf-black-pastors-confront-southern-poverty-law-center-for-smearing-pro-family-organizations-opposed-to-homosexual-agenda-as-hate-groups/</ref>

The SPLC's op-ed writings have appeared in the [[Communist Party USA]]'s newspaper ''People's World''. <ref>[http://dailycaller.com/2011/01/22/splc-article-featured-in-communist-newspaper/ SPLC article featured in communist newspaper, The Daily Caller, January 22, 2011]</ref> This "controversial, liberal organization" <ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/daily/dec98/southern19.htm</ref> has been criticized in mainstream press for being extravagant in its spending, and using charges of racism to stifle conservatives. <ref>http://cofcc.org/?p=984</ref>

The SPLC's op-ed writings have appeared in the [[Communist Party USA]]'s newspaper ''People's World''.<ref>[http://dailycaller.com/2011/01/22/splc-article-featured-in-communist-newspaper/ SPLC article featured in communist newspaper, The Daily Caller, January 22, 2011]</ref> This "controversial, liberal organization" <ref>http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/daily/dec98/southern19.htm</ref> has been criticized in mainstream press for being extravagant in its spending, and using charges of racism to stifle conservatives.<ref>http://cofcc.org/?p=984</ref>

==Finances==

==Finances==

The last year that the [[Better Business Bureau]]'s Philanthropic Advisory Service reported on the SPLC, in 1994, Dees and then Executive Director Edward Ashworth took home over $150,000 each, and the organization then possessed over $62 million in assets <ref>http://www.zpub.com/notes/znote-splc.html</ref>. It now controls over $200 million, and Dees pulls $286,000 in salary.<ref>http://www.splcenter.org/donate/financialinfo/financial.jsp</ref> In 2000, SPLC fundraised $27 million and made an additional $17 million from investments, but spent only $13 million on its civil rights program. <ref>http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3a3e5cb925c4.htm</ref> It is no longer listed in the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance<ref>http://us.bbb.org/WWWRoot/SitePage.aspx?site=113&id=1bce9b1f-74e9-4c94-96e8-1ee2b519b0c4</ref> because that would require that "at least 50 percent of total income from all sources, should be applied to programs and activities directly related to the purposes for which the organization exists." The SPLC spent 89 percent of its total income on fund-raising and administrative costs. <ref>http://www.theamericanresistance.com/thousand_words/pics_splc_expands.html</ref>

The last year that the [[Better Business Bureau]]'s Philanthropic Advisory Service reported on the SPLC, in 1994, Dees and then Executive Director Edward Ashworth took home over $150,000 each, and the organization then possessed over $62 million in assets.<ref>http://www.zpub.com/notes/znote-splc.html</ref> It now controls over $200 million, and Dees pulls $286,000 in salary.<ref>http://www.splcenter.org/donate/financialinfo/financial.jsp</ref> In 2000, SPLC fundraised $27 million and made an additional $17 million from investments, but spent only $13 million on its civil rights program.<ref>http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3a3e5cb925c4.htm</ref> It is no longer listed in the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance<ref>http://us.bbb.org/WWWRoot/SitePage.aspx?site=113&id=1bce9b1f-74e9-4c94-96e8-1ee2b519b0c4</ref> because that would require that "at least 50 percent of total income from all sources, should be applied to programs and activities directly related to the purposes for which the organization exists." The SPLC spent 89 percent of its total income on fund-raising and administrative costs.<ref>http://www.theamericanresistance.com/thousand_words/pics_splc_expands.html</ref>

In addition to donations from liberal members, which are often elicited by sensationalizing hate crimes, the center raises a lot of revenue seizing assets of violent groups, and by extorting groups that do not want to be accused of racism. In 1987, the SPLC won a major case on behalf of Beulah Mae Donald, the mother of a Klan lynching victim. This was the invention of a clever new tactic-- suing domestic terrorist groups into bankruptcy-- but Ms. Donald benefitted very little. Of the $7 million verdict, only $50,000 went to her. This was because the Klan chapter had no assets other than a warehouse used as a headquarters, the warehouse itself was valued at about $50,000. <ref>http://www.americanpatrol.com/SPLC/ChurchofMorrisDees001100.html</ref>

In addition to donations from liberal members, which are often elicited by sensationalizing hate crimes, the center raises a lot of revenue seizing assets of violent groups, and by extorting groups that do not want to be accused of racism. In 1987, the SPLC won a major case on behalf of Beulah Mae Donald, the mother of a Klan lynching victim. This was the invention of a clever new tactic—suing domestic terrorist groups into bankruptcy—but Ms. Donald benefitted very little. Of the $7 million verdict, only $50,000 went to her. This was because the Klan chapter had no assets other than a warehouse used as a headquarters, the warehouse itself was valued at about $50,000.<ref>http://www.americanpatrol.com/SPLC/ChurchofMorrisDees001100.html</ref>

The SPLC's fundraising tactics came under heavy criticism most recently by the Council of Conservative Citizens, <ref>http://cofcc.org/?p=5108</ref> as well as by articles in ''Harper's'' magazine in 2000<ref>Silverstein, Ken.  "The Church of Morris Dees: How the Southern Poverty Law Center Profits from Intolerance".  ''Harper's'', November, 2000.  http://www.harpers.org/archive/2000/11/0068709</ref> and in the local ''Montgomery Advertiser'' newspaper in 1994.<ref>Morse, Dan and Greg Jaffe. "Critics Question $52 Million Reserve, Tactics of Wealthiest Civil Rights Group". ''Montgomery Advertiser'', February 13, 1994</ref>.

The SPLC's fundraising tactics came under heavy criticism most recently by the Council of Conservative Citizens,<ref>http://cofcc.org/?p=5108</ref> as well as by articles in ''Harper's'' magazine in 2000<ref>Silverstein, Ken.  "The Church of Morris Dees: How the Southern Poverty Law Center Profits from Intolerance".  ''Harper's'', November, 2000.  http://www.harpers.org/archive/2000/11/0068709</ref> and in the local ''Montgomery Advertiser'' newspaper in 1994.<ref>Morse, Dan and Greg Jaffe. "Critics Question $52 Million Reserve, Tactics of Wealthiest Civil Rights Group". ''Montgomery Advertiser'', February 13, 1994</ref>

==Hate Groups==

==Hate Groups==

==Hate Map==

==Hate Map==

The Southern Poverty Law Center posted a 'Hate Map' on their website. <ref>[http://cnsnews.com/news/article/shooting-southern-poverty-law-center-put-family-research-council-hate-map  Before Shooting: Southern Poverty Law Center Put Family Research Council on ‘Hate Map’ - See more at: http://cnsnews.com/news/article/shooting-southern-poverty-law-center-put-family-research-council-hate-map#sthash.WwD1HS7R.dpuf CNSNews, April 16, 2012]</ref> The organization lists various "hate groups" for their opposition to the [[homosexual agenda]], [[abortion]] and [[social justice]] to name a few. Homosexual activist [[Floyd Corkins]] utilized the information with the intent on causing [[mass murder]] at the [[Family Research Council]] in D.C., the conservative organization is listed by them as a hate group. Corkins entered FRC's lobby allegedly shouted “I don’t like your politics” and shot an unarmed guard in the arm with a 9mm pistol before being wounded and arrested. <ref>[http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/perkins-shooting-family-research/2012/08/16/id/448862#ixzz2kTjbZHV5 FRC's Perkins: Southern Poverty Law Center Gave Gunman 'License to Shoot']</ref> The SLPC denied they were responsible but the gunman admitted as much. Though Corkins' actions perfectly fit the definition of a [[hate crime]], no such sentence was given likely due to his liberal sympathies. Corkins did receive a 25-year prison sentence.

The Southern Poverty Law Center posted a 'Hate Map' on their website.<ref>[http://cnsnews.com/news/article/shooting-southern-poverty-law-center-put-family-research-council-hate-map  Before Shooting: Southern Poverty Law Center Put Family Research Council on ‘Hate Map’ - See more at: http://cnsnews.com/news/article/shooting-southern-poverty-law-center-put-family-research-council-hate-map#sthash.WwD1HS7R.dpuf CNSNews, April 16, 2012]</ref> The organization lists various "hate groups" for their opposition to the [[homosexual agenda]], [[abortion]] and [[social justice]] to name a few. Homosexual activist [[Floyd Corkins]] utilized the information with the intent on causing [[mass murder]] at the [[Family Research Council]] in D.C., the conservative organization is listed by them as a hate group. Corkins entered FRC's lobby allegedly shouted “I don’t like your politics” and shot an unarmed guard in the arm with a 9mm pistol before being wounded and arrested.<ref>[http://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/perkins-shooting-family-research/2012/08/16/id/448862#ixzz2kTjbZHV5 FRC's Perkins: Southern Poverty Law Center Gave Gunman 'License to Shoot']</ref> The SLPC denied they were responsible but the gunman admitted as much. Though Corkins' actions perfectly fit the definition of a [[hate crime]], no such sentence was given likely due to his liberal sympathies. Corkins did receive a 25-year prison sentence.

==SPLC attacks on conservatives==

==SPLC attacks on conservatives==

While SPLC organizes against obvious hate groups such as the KKK or Aryan Brotherhood, it also lumps in conservative organizations in an attempt to intimidate them. For instance, SPLC considers Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) a "hate group", because it opposes illegal immigration, and uses demonstrations as a method, which the SPLC deems intimidation.<ref>http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2007/12/11/fair-crossing-the-rubicon-of-hate&splcnewsletter=panewsgen-121107/</ref>  Similarly, the center labels the immigration reductionist/reformist website VDARE as a "hate group", because it argues against illegal immigration <ref>http://blog.vdare.com/archives/2008/10/07/freedom-folksblogs4borders-interview-with-peter-brimelow/</ref>.    

While SPLC organizes against obvious hate groups such as the KKK or Aryan Brotherhood, it also lumps in conservative organizations in an attempt to intimidate them. For instance, SPLC considers Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) a "hate group", because it opposes illegal immigration, and uses demonstrations as a method, which the SPLC deems intimidation.<ref>http://www.splcenter.org/blog/2007/12/11/fair-crossing-the-rubicon-of-hate&splcnewsletter=panewsgen-121107/</ref>  Similarly, the center labels the immigration reductionist/reformist website VDARE as a "hate group", because it argues against illegal immigration.<ref>http://blog.vdare.com/archives/2008/10/07/freedom-folksblogs4borders-interview-with-peter-brimelow/</ref>   

The SPLC followed Laird Wilson in publishing a list of "hate groups" but after Wilson rejected the usefulness of that approach, the SPLC continued with it, becoming prominent for using it against groups standing for traditional values.<ref>http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2011/0223/Annual-report-cites-rise-in-hate-groups-but-some-ask-What-is-hate</ref><ref>http://editioncnn.com/2012/08/16us/dc-shooting-blame/index.html</ref><ref>http://thehill.com/blogs?blog-briefing-room/news/243921-shooting-spurs-heated-battle-on-gay-rights-and-hate-group-label</ref>  Laird Wilcox, claims to have provided SPLC with some of the information initially used to compile their list of "hate groups". He "concluded that a lot of [the SPLC's hate groups] were vanishingly small or didn’t exist, or could even be an invention of the SPLC." Some of the "hate groups" were creations of SPLC informants, rather than legitimate groups. And with the advent of the internet, some of them exist "nowhere except in cyberspace." Wilcox concludes, "The whole issue of “lists” is full of smoke and mirrors."<ref>"An Expert on Fringe Political Movements Reflects on the SPLC’s Political Agenda - An Exclusive Interview with Author and Researcher Laird Wilcox,"Volume 20, Number 3 (Spring 2010)  http://www.thesocialcontract.com/artman2/publish/tsc_20_3/tsc_20_3_wilcox_interview.shtml</ref>

The SPLC followed Laird Wilson in publishing a list of "hate groups" but after Wilson rejected the usefulness of that approach, the SPLC continued with it, becoming prominent for using it against groups standing for traditional values.<ref>http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2011/0223/Annual-report-cites-rise-in-hate-groups-but-some-ask-What-is-hate</ref><ref>http://editioncnn.com/2012/08/16us/dc-shooting-blame/index.html</ref><ref>http://thehill.com/blogs?blog-briefing-room/news/243921-shooting-spurs-heated-battle-on-gay-rights-and-hate-group-label</ref>  Laird Wilcox, claims to have provided SPLC with some of the information initially used to compile their list of "hate groups". He "concluded that a lot of [the SPLC's hate groups] were vanishingly small or didn’t exist, or could even be an invention of the SPLC." Some of the "hate groups" were creations of SPLC informants, rather than legitimate groups. And with the advent of the internet, some of them exist "nowhere except in cyberspace." Wilcox concludes, "The whole issue of “lists” is full of smoke and mirrors."<ref>"An Expert on Fringe Political Movements Reflects on the SPLC’s Political Agenda - An Exclusive Interview with Author and Researcher Laird Wilcox,"Volume 20, Number 3 (Spring 2010)  http://www.thesocialcontract.com/artman2/publish/tsc_20_3/tsc_20_3_wilcox_interview.shtml</ref>

==Infiltration into the classroom==

==Infiltration into the classroom==

Additionally, the SPLC runs tolerance.org, a website that advocates [[multiculturalism]], the homosexual agenda and "social justice". It is designed with teachers in mind so that these ideas can influence young children in the classroom <ref>http://www.tolerance.org/teach/activities/index.jsp</ref> For instance, teachers can click "classroom activities" then "early grades" and "Tolerance Issues: Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual issues:" or "tolerance issues: Gender Issues" and arrive at a pro-alternative family article, among others.<ref>http://www.tolerance.org/teach/current/event.jsp?cid=305</ref>. Its magazine is sent to over 400,000 eduators, and over 10,000 schools participate in its programs.

Additionally, the SPLC runs tolerance.org, a website that advocates [[multiculturalism]], the homosexual agenda and "social justice". It is designed with teachers in mind so that these ideas can influence young children in the classroom <ref>http://www.tolerance.org/teach/activities/index.jsp</ref> For instance, teachers can click "classroom activities" then "early grades" and "Tolerance Issues: Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual issues:" or "tolerance issues: Gender Issues" and arrive at a pro-alternative family article, among others.<ref>http://www.tolerance.org/teach/current/event.jsp?cid=305</ref> Its magazine is sent to over 400,000 eduators, and over 10,000 schools participate in its programs.

==Interference in the Sierra Club==

==Interference in the Sierra Club==

Indeed, the SPLC has a history of adding groups to its listing of purported "hate groups" in advance of a government law enforcement campaign against them.  The SPLC inexplicably added the [[Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints]] (FLDS) to its "hate groups" list just before FLDS leader Warren Jeffs was indicted on charges of arranging [[polygamy|polygamous]] underage marriages.  The timing of this listing by SPLC was suspicious, as is the accuracy of calling FLDS a "hate group" to begin with, any controversy over their polygamous practices notwithstanding.

Indeed, the SPLC has a history of adding groups to its listing of purported "hate groups" in advance of a government law enforcement campaign against them.  The SPLC inexplicably added the [[Fundamentalist Latter Day Saints]] (FLDS) to its "hate groups" list just before FLDS leader Warren Jeffs was indicted on charges of arranging [[polygamy|polygamous]] underage marriages.  The timing of this listing by SPLC was suspicious, as is the accuracy of calling FLDS a "hate group" to begin with, any controversy over their polygamous practices notwithstanding.

The SPLC brags about being an informant for the FBI. Mark Potok, an SPLC spokesman, said, "Law enforcement agencies come to us every day with questions about particular groups." This was done to circumvent policies against domestic political spying. <ref>[http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/doc/405293377.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug%2013%2C%201999&author=Anne%20E.%20Kornblut%2C%20Globe%20Staff&pub=Boston%20Globe&edition=&startpage=&desc=FBI%20limited%20in%20battling%20hate%20groups]</ref> But the FBI has recently disavowed the SPLC by drropping it from being listed as a resource on the FBI web site.<ref>Feb. 2014 page [http://web.archive.org/web/20140209112737/http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/civilrights/hate_crimes/hate_crimes], current hate crime page [http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/civilrights/hate_crimes/hate_crimes]</ref>

The SPLC brags about being an informant for the FBI. Mark Potok, an SPLC spokesman, said, "Law enforcement agencies come to us every day with questions about particular groups." This was done to circumvent policies against domestic political spying.<ref>[http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/doc/405293377.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug%2013%2C%201999&author=Anne%20E.%20Kornblut%2C%20Globe%20Staff&pub=Boston%20Globe&edition=&startpage=&desc=FBI%20limited%20in%20battling%20hate%20groups]</ref> But the FBI has recently disavowed the SPLC by drropping it from being listed as a resource on the FBI web site.<ref>Feb. 2014 page [http://web.archive.org/web/20140209112737/http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/civilrights/hate_crimes/hate_crimes], current hate crime page [http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/civilrights/hate_crimes/hate_crimes]</ref>

==''Into the Mainstream'' controversy==

==''Into the Mainstream'' controversy==

In the summer of 2003, the SPLC's ''Intelligence Journal'' carried a feature article entitled "Into the Mainstream", by [[Chip Berlet]].  The cover of the journal had an image of [[Adolf Hitler]] in front of the [[American flag]] and the caption, "Marching toward the Mainstream: the radical Right invades American culture".  The implication was that such conservative activists as [[David Horowitz]] and his [[Center for the Study of Popular Culture]], as well as other groups including the [[libertarian]] Ludwig von Mises Institute, were "radical right" and Hitlerian.<ref>Kantor, Myles.  "Morris Dees' Defamation".  ''FrontPage magazine'', September 25, 2003.  http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=52878574-A7B7-4885-A6F9-58C15841D70C</ref>  This smear was denounced by David Horowitz, who demanded an apology, although none was forthcoming.

In the summer of 2003, the SPLC's ''Intelligence Journal'' carried a feature article entitled "Into the Mainstream", by [[Chip Berlet]].  The cover of the journal had an image of [[Adolf Hitler]] in front of the [[American flag]] and the caption, "Marching toward the Mainstream: the radical Right invades American culture".  The implication was that such conservative activists as [[David Horowitz]] and his [[Center for the Study of Popular Culture]], as well as other groups including the [[libertarian]] Ludwig von Mises Institute, were "radical right" and Hitlerian.<ref>Kantor, Myles.  "Morris Dees' Defamation".  ''FrontPage magazine'', September 25, 2003.  http://www.frontpagemag.com/Articles/Read.aspx?GUID=52878574-A7B7-4885-A6F9-58C15841D70C</ref>  This smear was denounced by David Horowitz, who demanded an apology, although none was forthcoming.

For further details see [[Chip_Berlet#Hate_speech]].

For further details see [[Chip Berlet#Hate speech]].

==SPLC as film critic==

==SPLC as film critic==

* [[Essay:The Protocols of Ritual Defamation]]

* [[Essay:The Protocols of Ritual Defamation]]

==External Links==

==External links==

* [http://splcwatch.org/ SPLC Watch]

* [http://splcwatch.org/ SPLC Watch]