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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 the [[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 admonished the SPLC in declaring that it is wrong to compare "my beautiful blackness" with [[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 '''Southern Poverty Law Center''' is a [[Leftist|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 extreme-[[liberal]] positions; it is anti-conservative Christianity, 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 the [[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 admonished the SPLC in declaring that it is wrong to compare "my beautiful blackness" with [[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 SPLC's IRS Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2015 showed total income of $54.2 million, and expenses of $45.3 million with a surplus of $8.9 million.  The organization has a net worth of $315 million, and the top salaries were paid to Morris Dees, Chief Trial Counsel, $337,146; Richard Cohen, President, $333,296; Wendy Via, Chief of Development, $186,645; Jerri Katzerman, Deputy Legal Director, $183,752; and Joseph Levin, General Counsel, $160,626.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.splcenter.org/sites/default/files/990-10-31-15.pdf|format=PDF|title=SPLC Form 990|accessdate=January 11, 2017}}</ref>

The SPLC's IRS Form 990 for the year ending October 31, 2015, showed a total income of $54.2 million, and expenses of $45.3 million with a surplus of $8.9 million.  The organization has a net worth of $315 million, and the top salaries were paid to Morris Dees, Chief Trial Counsel, $337,146; Richard Cohen, President, $333,296; Wendy Via, Chief of Development, $186,645; Jerri Katzerman, Deputy Legal Director, $183,752; and Joseph Levin, General Counsel, $160,626.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.splcenter.org/sites/default/files/990-10-31-15.pdf|format=PDF|title=SPLC Form 990|accessdate=January 11, 2017}}</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>

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 2017, the SPLC labeled the [[Alliance Defending Freedom]] a "hate group,"<ref>Richardson, Valerie (July 16, 2017). [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jul/16/alliance-defending-freedom-blasts-defamatory-south/ ABC, NBC hit with backlash after pinning ‘hate group’ label on Alliance Defending Freedom]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved September 3, 2017.</ref> a label that [[mainstream media]] outlets picked up on.<ref>Weaver, Corrine (July 13, 2017). [http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/07/13/abc-nbc-cnn-defending-1st-amendment-is-hate-speech-media-hit-ag-sessions-for-speech-to-christian-group.html ABC, NBC under fire after smearing Christian organization as a “hate group”]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved September 3, 2017.</ref> The SPLC caused serious financial harm to the Ruth Institute, a Catholic organization that combats the decline of the family, due to the SPLC's "hate group" designation of the institute.<ref>Richardson, Valerie (September 5, 2017). [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/sep/5/southern-poverty-law-hate-map-listing-costly-ruth-/ Southern Poverty Law ‘hate map’ label proves costly to pro-family Ruth Institute]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved September 11, 2017.</ref> That same year, D. James Kennedy Ministries, an [[evangelical Christian]] ministry based in [[Florida]], filed a lawsuit against the SPLC due to its designation of the ministry as a "hate group."<ref>Llorente, Elizabeth (August 24, 2017). [http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/08/24/southern-poverty-law-center-hate-group-label-hit-in-evangelicals-lawsuit.html Southern Poverty Law Center ‘hate group’ label hit in evangelicals’ lawsuit]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved September 3, 2017.</ref><ref>O'Neil, Tyler (August 23, 2017). [https://pjmedia.com/faith/2017/08/23/d-james-kennedy-ministries-sues-splc-guidestar-and-amazon-for-defamation/ IT'S ON: Christian Group Sues SPLC and Amazon Over 'Hate Group' Designation]. ''PJ Media''. Retrieved September 3, 2017.</ref> In 2017, a college graduate was placed on the SPLC's "hate group" list because she did an interview with the conservative [[Family Research Council]].<ref>[http://insider.foxnews.com/2017/09/30/conservative-college-grad-hate-group-list-radio-interview-southern-poverty-law-center Conservative College Grad Put on Hate Group List for Radio Interview]. ''Fox News Insider''. September 30, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.</ref>

In 2017, the SPLC labeled the [[Alliance Defending Freedom]] a "hate group,"<ref>Richardson, Valerie (July 16, 2017). [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jul/16/alliance-defending-freedom-blasts-defamatory-south/ ABC, NBC hit with backlash after pinning ‘hate group’ label on Alliance Defending Freedom]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved September 3, 2017.</ref> a label that [[mainstream media]] outlets picked up on.<ref>Weaver, Corrine (July 13, 2017). [http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2017/07/13/abc-nbc-cnn-defending-1st-amendment-is-hate-speech-media-hit-ag-sessions-for-speech-to-christian-group.html ABC, NBC under fire after smearing Christian organization as a “hate group”]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved September 3, 2017.</ref> The SPLC caused serious financial harm to the Ruth Institute, a Catholic organization that combats the decline of the family, due to the SPLC's "hate group" designation of the institute.<ref>Richardson, Valerie (September 5, 2017). [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/sep/5/southern-poverty-law-hate-map-listing-costly-ruth-/ Southern Poverty Law ‘hate map’ label proves costly to pro-family Ruth Institute]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved September 11, 2017.</ref> That same year, D. James Kennedy Ministries, an [[evangelical Christian]] ministry based in [[Florida]], filed a lawsuit against the SPLC due to its designation of the ministry as a "hate group."<ref>Llorente, Elizabeth (August 24, 2017). [http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/08/24/southern-poverty-law-center-hate-group-label-hit-in-evangelicals-lawsuit.html Southern Poverty Law Center ‘hate group’ label hit in evangelicals’ lawsuit]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved September 3, 2017.</ref><ref>O'Neil, Tyler (August 23, 2017). [https://pjmedia.com/faith/2017/08/23/d-james-kennedy-ministries-sues-splc-guidestar-and-amazon-for-defamation/ IT'S ON: Christian Group Sues SPLC and Amazon Over 'Hate Group' Designation]. ''PJ Media''. Retrieved September 3, 2017.</ref> In 2017, a college graduate was placed on the SPLC's "hate group" list because she did an interview with the conservative [[Family Research Council]].<ref>[http://insider.foxnews.com/2017/09/30/conservative-college-grad-hate-group-list-radio-interview-southern-poverty-law-center Conservative College Grad Put on Hate Group List for Radio Interview]. ''Fox News Insider''. September 30, 2017. Retrieved September 30, 2017.</ref>

All of the incidents listed above further prove the SPLC is a left-wing political organization, as well as itself being a hate group, rather than one focused on racism and civil rights. Despite labeling numerous mainstream conservative organizations as "hate groups", the SPLC has refused to label [[Antifa]] a hate group.<ref>Nelson, Steve (September 3, 2017). [http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/southern-poverty-law-center-condemns-antifa-but-wont-call-hate-group/article/2633252 Southern Poverty Law Center condemns antifa, but won't call hate group]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved September 3, 2017.</ref>

All of the incidents listed above further prove the SPLC is a left-wing political organization, as well as itself being a hate group, rather than one focused on racism and civil rights. Despite labeling numerous mainstream conservative organizations as "hate groups", the SPLC has refused to label [[Antifa]] a hate group.<ref>Nelson, Steve (September 3, 2017). [http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/southern-poverty-law-center-condemns-antifa-but-wont-call-hate-group/article/2633252 Southern Poverty Law Center condemns antifa, but won't call hate group]. ''Washington Examiner''. Retrieved September 3, 2017.</ref>