Changes

While SPLC attacks obvious hate groups such as the KKK or Aryan Brotherhood, it also lumps in conservative and Christian organizations in an attempt to defame and delegitimize them.<ref>Newman, Alex (February 26, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/crime/item/31570-splc-invents-crisis-claims-trump-rise-fueled-by-racism SPLC Invents Crisis, Claims Trump Rise Fueled by Racism]. ''The New American''. Retrieved February 26, 2019.</ref> 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 SPLC 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 attacks obvious hate groups such as the KKK or Aryan Brotherhood, it also lumps in conservative and Christian organizations in an attempt to defame and delegitimize them.<ref>Newman, Alex (February 26, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/crime/item/31570-splc-invents-crisis-claims-trump-rise-fueled-by-racism SPLC Invents Crisis, Claims Trump Rise Fueled by Racism]. ''The New American''. Retrieved February 26, 2019.</ref> 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 SPLC 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>https://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>https://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>https://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>

In the wake of an August 2012 shooting at the headquarters of the [[Family Research Council]], some columnists criticized the SPLC's listing of the Family Research Council as an "anti-gay hate group". Dana Milbank, of the Washington Post, wrote that the SPLC was "reckless in labeling as a “hate group” a policy shop that advocates for a full range of conservative Christian positions." <ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dana-milbank-hateful-speech-on-hate-groups/2012/08/16/70a60ac6-e7e8-11el-8487-64e4b2a79ba8_story.html</ref><ref>[http://huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/22dana-milbank-washington-post-family-research-council-hate-group_n_1822805.html Dana Milbank, Washington Post Writer, Slams LGBT Activists, SPLC For FRC's 'Hate Group' Label]</ref> Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, said, after the attack, “I believe [the gunman Floyd Corkins] was given a license to do that by a group such as the Southern Poverty Law Center who labeled us a hate group because we defend the family and stand for traditional orthodox Christianity.”<ref>FRC's Perkins: Southern Poverty Law Center Gave Gunman 'License to Shoot', https://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/perkins-shooting-family-research/2012/08/16/id/448862?s=al</ref> Capital Research Center states that the SPLC "deliberately mischaracterizes conservatives and tea partiers as “extremists”."<ref>Southern Poverty Law Center: Wellspring of Manufactured Hate, http://www.capitalresearch.org/2012/09/southern-poverty-law-center-wellspring-of-manufactured-hate/</ref>

In the wake of an August 2012 shooting at the headquarters of the [[Family Research Council]], some columnists criticized the SPLC's listing of the Family Research Council as an "anti-gay hate group". Dana Milbank, of the Washington Post, wrote that the SPLC was "reckless in labeling as a “hate group” a policy shop that advocates for a full range of conservative Christian positions." <ref>https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dana-milbank-hateful-speech-on-hate-groups/2012/08/16/70a60ac6-e7e8-11el-8487-64e4b2a79ba8_story.html</ref><ref>[http://huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/22dana-milbank-washington-post-family-research-council-hate-group_n_1822805.html Dana Milbank, Washington Post Writer, Slams LGBT Activists, SPLC For FRC's 'Hate Group' Label]</ref> Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, said, after the attack, “I believe [the gunman Floyd Corkins] was given a license to do that by a group such as the Southern Poverty Law Center who labeled us a hate group because we defend the family and stand for traditional orthodox Christianity.”<ref>FRC's Perkins: Southern Poverty Law Center Gave Gunman 'License to Shoot', https://www.newsmax.com/Newsfront/perkins-shooting-family-research/2012/08/16/id/448862?s=al</ref> Capital Research Center states that the SPLC "deliberately mischaracterizes conservatives and tea partiers as “extremists”."<ref>Southern Poverty Law Center: Wellspring of Manufactured Hate, http://www.capitalresearch.org/2012/09/southern-poverty-law-center-wellspring-of-manufactured-hate/</ref>

In 2012, the SPLC found four individuals to file a lawsuit against a group providing therapy to homosexual men in order to help them become [[ex-homosexuals]].<ref>http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/27/15486181-four-men-sue-new-jersey-organization-over-gay-conversion-therapy?lite</ref>  The SPLC alleges the group violated New Jersey's Consumer Fraud Law in advertising that conversion therapy will help people become ex-homosexuals.  Instead of being a pro-consumer lawsuit, as the SLPC implies, the suit is a collateral attack on conversion therapy and the free exercise of religion.

In 2012, the SPLC found four individuals to file a lawsuit against a group providing therapy to homosexual men in order to help them become [[ex-homosexuals]].<ref>http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/11/27/15486181-four-men-sue-new-jersey-organization-over-gay-conversion-therapy?lite</ref>  The SPLC alleges the group violated New Jersey's Consumer Fraud Law in advertising that conversion therapy will help people become ex-homosexuals.  Instead of being a pro-consumer lawsuit, as the SLPC implies, the suit is a collateral attack on conversion therapy and the free exercise of religion.

In 2017, the SPLC labeled the [[Alliance Defending Freedom]] a "hate group,"<ref>Richardson, Valerie (July 16, 2017). [https://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> That same year, it labeled the conservative [[Center for Immigration Studies]] a "hate group."<ref>Krikorian, Mark (March 17, 2017). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/how-labeling-my-organization-a-hate-group-shuts-down-public-debate/2017/03/17/656ab9c8-0812-11e7-93dc-00f9bdd74ed1_story.html How labeling my organization a hate group shuts down public debate]. ''The Washington Post''. Retrieved April 20, 2018.<br>See also:

In 2017, the SPLC labeled the [[Alliance Defending Freedom]] a "hate group,"<ref>Richardson, Valerie (July 16, 2017). [https://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). [https://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> That same year, it labeled the conservative [[Center for Immigration Studies]] a "hate group."<ref>Krikorian, Mark (March 17, 2017). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/how-labeling-my-organization-a-hate-group-shuts-down-public-debate/2017/03/17/656ab9c8-0812-11e7-93dc-00f9bdd74ed1_story.html How labeling my organization a hate group shuts down public debate]. ''The Washington Post''. Retrieved April 20, 2018.<br>See also:

*Dinan, Stephen (January 16, 2019). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/jan/16/immigration-group-files-rico-lawsuit-splc/ Immigration group demands SPLC revoke 'hate' label]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved January 16, 2019.

*Dinan, Stephen (January 16, 2019). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/jan/16/immigration-group-files-rico-lawsuit-splc/ Immigration group demands SPLC revoke 'hate' label]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved January 16, 2019.

*Kirkwood, R. Cort (January 16, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/crime/item/31207-cis-sues-splc-alleges-wire-fraud-rico-conspiracy CIS Sues SPLC, Alleges Wire Fraud, RICO Conspiracy]. ''The New American''. Retrieved January 16, 2019.</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). [https://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>

*Kirkwood, R. Cort (January 16, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/crime/item/31207-cis-sues-splc-alleges-wire-fraud-rico-conspiracy CIS Sues SPLC, Alleges Wire Fraud, RICO Conspiracy]. ''The New American''. Retrieved January 16, 2019.</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). [https://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). [https://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>[https://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 included Twitter hashtags such as "#Christmas", "#MerryChristmas", and "#jesus", on its list of "trends in a community of far-right Twitter users."<ref>Multiple references:

In 2017, the SPLC included Twitter hashtags such as "#Christmas", "#MerryChristmas", and "#jesus", on its list of "trends in a community of far-right Twitter users."<ref>Multiple references:

*Duke, Selwyn (June 23, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/crime/item/29352-acting-like-a-hate-group-splc-pays-large-settlement-and-may-be-sued-further Acting Like a Hate Group, SPLC Pays Large Settlement and May Be Sued Further]. ''The New American''. Retrieved June 23, 2018.

*Duke, Selwyn (June 23, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/crime/item/29352-acting-like-a-hate-group-splc-pays-large-settlement-and-may-be-sued-further Acting Like a Hate Group, SPLC Pays Large Settlement and May Be Sued Further]. ''The New American''. Retrieved June 23, 2018.

*Tomlinson, Chris (June 18, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/18/u-s-far-left-anti-hate-group-to-pay-maajid-nawaz-3-3-million-dollar-settlement-for-including-him-on-hate-list/ U.S. Far-Left Group SPLC To Pay Counter-Extremist Maajid Nawaz $3.3M Settlement Over Anti-Muslim ‘Hate List’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 23, 2018.

*Tomlinson, Chris (June 18, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/18/u-s-far-left-anti-hate-group-to-pay-maajid-nawaz-3-3-million-dollar-settlement-for-including-him-on-hate-list/ U.S. Far-Left Group SPLC To Pay Counter-Extremist Maajid Nawaz $3.3M Settlement Over Anti-Muslim ‘Hate List’]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 23, 2018.

*Chamberlain, Samuel (June 18, 2018). [http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/06/18/splc-makes-huge-settlement-with-anti-extremist-group-it-called-anti-muslim.html SPLC makes huge settlement with anti-extremist group it called 'anti-Muslim']. ''Fox News''. Retrieved June 23, 2018.

*Chamberlain, Samuel (June 18, 2018). [https://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/06/18/splc-makes-huge-settlement-with-anti-extremist-group-it-called-anti-muslim.html SPLC makes huge settlement with anti-extremist group it called 'anti-Muslim']. ''Fox News''. Retrieved June 23, 2018.

See also:

See also:

*Delingpole, James (June 19, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/19/delingpole-maajiid-nawaz-vs-southern-poverty-law-center-smells-like-victory/ Delingpole: This Ex-Radical Islamist Just Won a Great Victory for Us All]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 23, 2018.

*Delingpole, James (June 19, 2018). [https://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/19/delingpole-maajiid-nawaz-vs-southern-poverty-law-center-smells-like-victory/ Delingpole: This Ex-Radical Islamist Just Won a Great Victory for Us All]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved June 23, 2018.

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 disavowed the SPLC by dropping it from being listed as a resource on the FBI website,<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> though it admitted to relying upon the SPLC as recently as mid-2018.<ref>Byas, Steve (August 1, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/item/29679-fbi-admits-to-using-leftwing-southern-poverty-law-center FBI Admits to Using Left-wing Southern Poverty Law Center]. ''The New American''. Retrieved August 1, 2018.</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 disavowed the SPLC by dropping it from being listed as a resource on the FBI website,<ref>Feb. 2014 page [https://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> though it admitted to relying upon the SPLC as recently as mid-2018.<ref>Byas, Steve (August 1, 2018). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/usnews/item/29679-fbi-admits-to-using-leftwing-southern-poverty-law-center FBI Admits to Using Left-wing Southern Poverty Law Center]. ''The New American''. Retrieved August 1, 2018.</ref>

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

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