How the Southern Poverty Law Center Drew the Ire of Conservatives
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- The Southern Poverty Law Center (S.P.L.C.), known for combating the Ku Klux Klan and monitoring far-right extremists, has become a focal point of partisan conflict over defining hate in America.
- Conservatives have criticized the S.P.L.C. for labeling mainstream right-wing groups like Moms For Liberty and Turning Point USA as hate organizations.
- The Justice Department recently indicted the S.P.L.C. on charges including wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, linked to its use of paid informants to infiltrate far-right groups.
- Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche accused the S.P.L.C. of "manufacturing racism to justify its existence," prompting some criticized groups to express satisfaction at the legal action.
- The S.P.L.C. defines hate groups as organizations attacking or maligning entire classes of people based on immutable characteristics, a classification that remains highly contentious.
