The left-leaning Southern Poverty Law Center reportedly fired more than 60 employees late Wednesday, with at least one union member taking to Twitter to denounce the Montgomery, Alabama-based organization.
The organization has long been known for its list of so-called “hate groups” or “promoters of hate” groups and individuals, including evangelical and Catholic organizations, conservative congressional leaders and the late radio star Rush Limbaugh — all of which are included in its monitoring of groups widely viewed as racist and misogynistic, such as the Ku Klux Klan and the Proud Boys.
Some of the reported dismissals affected top officials of the organization’s trade union, which was reportedly formed in 2019 to fight “unfair” practices at the organization.
“Today my employer, the SPLC, fired over 60 union members and essentially closed multiple departments,” Hannah Geiss wrote on X.
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“In my personal capacity, I support every word of this statement from the union. [A]”An organization with such deep pockets has no excuses,” she added.
According to a statement from the cited union, also published in X, more than 60 members, including the chairman and five union officials, have been informed of the job cuts.
“We are heartbroken for our union and our colleagues,” the union said. In another tweet, the organization said it has nearly $1 billion in reserves, has been accused of “hoarding” donations and is “cutting its staff by a quarter.”
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Southern Poverty Law Center’s 2022 Hate and Anti-Government Groups Map. (Southern Poverty Law Center)
Fox News Digital reached out to the SPLC in multiple ways for comment about the layoffs and the allegations of hoarding donations, but did not immediately receive a response. A person who answered the phone for the organization directed Fox News Digital to an extension but ended up going to voicemail.
In a statement Alabama ReflectorThe group said it would take steps to streamline its activities and operations to better promote its objectives.
“Internally, we have announced that we will consolidate certain programs and activities and eliminate others, resulting in job reductions,” the news team wrote.
“This was a difficult but necessary decision to focus and align our activities with program priorities and goals. We deeply value the contributions of all staff and their dedication to ensuring the promise of equal justice becomes a reality for all,” the organization told the news outlet.
The Reflector reported that the group said the move would improve services to communities in the Deep South.
The group has long faced allegations of discrimination while claiming to be a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond.
In the 1980s, the group won several civil lawsuits on behalf of victims of the KKK. The organization was originally founded in 1971.
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![Southern Poverty Law Center Building](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/06/1200/675/Southern-Poverty-Law-Center.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Southern Poverty Law Center, Montgomery, Alabama (Barry Lewis/InPictures)
In 2022, SPLC President and CEO Margaret Huang received complaints from union members about “unfair” post-COVID-19 office reopening plans, saying less than 10% of her 400 employees at the time were in positions that required them to come into the office.
The SPLC was also forced to apologize for calling neurosurgeon and former Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson an “extremist.”
Fox News’ Jessica Chasmer contributed to this report..