Changes

Also smeared as "hate groups" by the SPLC include: the California Coalition for Immigration Reform, [[Liberty Counsel]], and The Social Contract Press (a liberal group publishing [[environmentalist]] works such as those of [[Garrett Hardin]], apparently smeared solely because they republished French writer [[Jean Raspail]]'s 1973 novel ''The Camp of the Saints'' which foretells catastrophe befalling [[Europe]] from boatloads of illegal immigrants arriving from South Asia).

Also smeared as "hate groups" by the SPLC include: the California Coalition for Immigration Reform, [[Liberty Counsel]], and The Social Contract Press (a liberal group publishing [[environmentalist]] works such as those of [[Garrett Hardin]], apparently smeared solely because they republished French writer [[Jean Raspail]]'s 1973 novel ''The Camp of the Saints'' which foretells catastrophe befalling [[Europe]] from boatloads of illegal immigrants arriving from South Asia).

Another example is the Council of Conservative Citizens, a conservative activist organization that advocates on behalf of states' rights and against immigration, Communism, racial quotas and gun control. SPLC labels the entire organization as "racist" because a minority of members had decades-past connections to segregationist organizations. In fact, the CCC attracts such mainstream speakers such as former Sen. [[Trent Lott]] (R-Miss.), Gov. [[Kirk Fordice]] (R-MS) and Rep. [[Bob Barr]] (R-Ga.), and engages in charitable and cultural events.

Another example is the [[Council of Conservative Citizens]], a conservative activist organization that advocates for states' rights and against immigration, Communism, racial quotas, and gun control. SPLC labels the entire organization as "racist" because a minority of members had decades-past connections to segregationist organizations. In fact, the CCC attracts such mainstream speakers such as former Sen. [[Trent Lott]] (R-Miss.), Gov. [[Kirk Fordice]] (R-MS) and Rep. [[Bob Barr]] (R-Ga.), and engages in charitable and cultural events.

The SPLC has also recently added new categories to its categories of "hate groups", including Traditionalist [[Catholic]]s (that is, those who advocate for a return to the [[Latin]] [[Mass]]), and an "anti-gay" category of groups who do not support the homosexual agenda and/or advocate for homosexuals to come out of that lifestyle.

The SPLC has also recently added new categories to its categories of "hate groups", including Traditionalist [[Catholic]]s (that is, those who advocate for a return to the [[Latin]] [[Mass]]), and an "anti-gay" category of groups who do not support the homosexual agenda and/or advocate for homosexuals to come out of that lifestyle.

In 2010, the SPLC created a list entitled "Meet the Patriots", which included such people such as [[Chuck Baldwin]], [[Orly Taitz]], and [[Alex Jones]] as supporters of this "patriot movement".<ref>http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2010/summer/meet-the-patriots?page=0,0</ref> A supplement entitled "The Enablers" was also released, which included [[Michele Bachmann]], [[Glenn Beck]], [[Ron Paul]], and [[Judge Napolitano]].<ref>http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2010/summer/meet-the-patriots/the-enablers</ref>  

In 2010, the SPLC created a list entitled "Meet the Patriots", which included such people such as [[Chuck Baldwin]], [[Orly Taitz]], and [[Alex Jones]] as supporters of this "patriot movement".<ref>http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2010/summer/meet-the-patriots?page=0,0</ref> A supplement entitled "The Enablers" was also released, which included [[Michele Bachmann]], [[Glenn Beck]], [[Ron Paul]], and [[Judge Napolitano]].<ref>http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2010/summer/meet-the-patriots/the-enablers</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). [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> 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, 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> 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>