Yes, they are complicit indeed. No one would care that the Southern Poverty Law Center smeared foes of jihad terror and Sharia oppression as “anti-Muslim extremists” were it not for the fact that the establishment media takes this seriously and consistently presents the SPLC was if it were a respectable and trustworthy organization. The media has given this hateful group legitimacy, a legitimacy it never deserved.
“47 Groups Weighing SPLC Lawsuit Warn ‘Editors, CEOs’: ‘You Are Complicit’ in Hate Group ‘Defamation,'” by Tyler O’Neil, PJ Media, June 20, 2018 (thanks to the Geller Report):
On Wednesday, no fewer than 47 nonprofit leaders maligned by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) — many if not most of whom are considering a lawsuit against the organization — warned a vast array of executives and leaders that if they parrot the SPLC’s damaging “hate group” labels, they would be “complicit” in “defamation.”
“Editors, CEOs, shareholders and consumers alike are on notice: anyone relying upon and repeating its misrepresentations is complicit in the SPLC’s harmful defamation of large numbers of American citizens who, like the undersigned, have been vilified simply for working to protect our country and freedoms,” the signatories wrote.
The letter followed news — broken at PJ Media — that no fewer than 60 organizations are considering suing the SPLC following a groundbreaking settlement in which the organization formally apologized to a Muslim reformer, Maajid Nawaz, for branding him an “anti-Muslim extremist.”
In 2016, the SPLC published its “Field Guide to Anti-Muslim Extremists,” listing Muslim reformer Maajid Nawaz, a practicing Muslim, as one such extremist. The left-wing group listed various and changing reasons for including him, even at one point mentioning that he had gone to a strip club for his bachelor party. On Monday, the SPLC apologized and paid $3.375 million to settle a lawsuit Nawaz had filed.
“We haven’t filed anything against the SPLC, but I think a number of organizations have been considering filing lawsuits against the SPLC because they have been doing to a lot of organizations exactly what they did to Maajid Nawaz,” Mat Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, told PJ Media on Tuesday.
Representatives of the Family Research Council (FRC), the Ruth Institute, and Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) told PJ Media they were considering “legal options.”
Liberty Counsel filed a lawsuit against the charity navigation organization GuideStar for defamation after GuideStar adopted the SPLC’s “hate group” list. That lawsuit is ongoing.
Staver further told PJ Media, “There are probably about 60 organizations that we’re talking to — there’s at least 60.”
The letter published Wednesday featured roughly the same list of groups that denounced the SPLC’s “hate list” in an open letter to the media last year. The SPLC has admitted that its “hate group” list is based on “opinion.”
Worse, in 2012, a terrorist broke into the Family Research Council (FRC) with a semi-automatic pistol, aiming to kill everyone in the building. In later FBI testimony, he admitted to targeting FRC because it was on the SPLC’s “hate map,” and that he intended to shoot up other organizations once he finished there.
The letter’s legal threat should be abundantly clear. Ken Cuccinelli, former attorney general of Virginia, signed the letter, as did PJ Media’s J. Christian Adams, president of the Public Interest Legal Foundation. Michael P. Farris, president, CEO, and general counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), represents an organization that has won eight Supreme Court cases in the past seven years.
Frank Anderson says
The attorneys mentioned in this article are “top of the line” in many areas and should do an excellent job.
mortimer says
Good luck to the attorneys! Get every cent from the SPLC cabal of amoral slanderers.
Frank Anderson says
Mortimer, please read my thoughts on the previous article. As a law firm in Alabama with LOTS of money, SPLC and each of its members almost certainly have huge amounts of insurance. I believe the policy limits available through Attorneys Insurance Mutual may be as high as 5 million per claim, for each member. If each plaintiff’s claim is considered as one, even though consolidated into a multi-plaintiff suit, the insurance coverage would be astronomical, as would the defense budget, which is why I would be thoughtful about this case.
I *guess/speculate* the payout in the previous case was based on an offer to settle for policy limits under the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure, which follow the Federal Rules (drafted by one of my law professors among others). If the plaintiff offers to settle for policy limits; the defense refuses the offer; the insurance must pay the entire judgment in the event the plaintiff wins. SPLC will not pay a dime until either the insurance refuses or denies coverage, or the coverage limit is exceeded. I should not at this time discuss in public any legal alternatives that may exist to end SPLC’s activities.
Think about a driver with LOTS of insurance who doesn’t care who he hurts. As long as he can drive and the insurance will cover his wrecks he will continue to drive. I do not blow smoke here or anywhere else. Nobody ever understands or appreciates my attempts at humor. I predict there is any number of lawyers looking at what I write who will call me if I err. Please consult a currently licensed and practicing attorney in your jurisdiction for legal advice.
Karlee says
IMO: The Coup d’Etat would be to make it lose its charitable status.
Frank Anderson says
Karlee, an overthrow of government is not likely. If you slow down a little bit to read the comments in this story and the previous story on this payment some ideas may come to mind that involve totally lawful approaches to ending this reign of libel. Several comments mention some of their sources of revenue and support. SPLC may have made an admission that could give them problems in the future. If the payment is couched in denial, it still could be used to show a common plan or scheme in other cases.
Karlee says
And I certainly wouldn’t go as a collective lawsuit. Each lawsuit is distinct. The more lawsuits won, the worse their publicity and damage to their name.
Frank Anderson says
Karlee, you could be correct. But the odds are that as soon as any suit is filed after the first one, based on the single list of “bad” people and organizations, the defendants will move (file a motion) to transfer and consolidate the later suit with the first. Judges do not want to hear multiple cases in different courts. Neither do they have time. Nor do they want to risk “inconsistent results”. The appeals courts do not want to see multiple appeals of the same essential facts and law. Then there is the United States Supreme Court case from approximately 1881, Taylor v. Taintor, that says the first court to take jurisdiction (authority to hear) a matter takes it to the exclusion of all others to the conclusion of all related matters. Please consult a currently licensed and practicing attorney in your jurisdiction for legal advice.
gravenimage says
Karlee, pushing the idea that we should throw out democracy for Muslims is questionable at best.
Rarely says
A field day for the lawyers as the SPLC and MSM find out what the law of defamation is all about.
Georg says
Take the fight to these subversive bastards. They’ve accepted enormous sums from the most retrograde force on earth, Saudi Arabia, therefore demonstrating principles are not their agenda–it is something else.
Stephen says
Bankrupt them and do us all a favour.
Frank Anderson says
Mike Nifong *was* the attorney who prosecuted the Duke Lacrosse players on false charges. He was according to reports that can be found online by searching his name: 1) Removed from office, 2) Disbarred, 3) Sued, 4) Lost, 5) Bankrupted, 6) Denied discharge of the judgments, 7) Criminally prosecuted, 8) Convicted. Under bankruptcy law some intentional wrongs cannot be discharged. Before bankruptcy enters the picture, insurance must be exhausted. Please consult a currently licensed and practicing attorney in your jurisdiction for legal advice.
Laurence Jarvik says
Have you sued them yet? Even if you lost, discovery would probably be very informative, especially about media-SPLC co-ordination…and perhaps other co-ordination with SPLC from other sectors to smear people…how were targets chosen, for example? Who made the “hit list?” Etc.
gravenimage says
47 groups weighing SPLC lawsuit warn editors: “You are complicit” in “hate group” defamation
………………….
Hear, hear!
PABLO says
“Heidi Beirich, director of the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Intelligence Project, said Douglass-Williams has been “on the anti-Muslim circuit for some time” and has written hundreds of articles for Jihad Watch since 2012”
I hope Ms. Williams also sues the SPLC for defamation. Her writings are full fair and frank and distinguishes between Political Islam and Islam.
David George says
Add Delta Airlines to the list of sponsors of SPLC. They published a very pro-SPLC piece in one of their monthly on-board magazines earlier this year. Their editor is either clue-less, stupid or complicit…maybe all three. They hate negative publicity.
Dave
Don McKellar says
Is that a picture of the Southern POVERTY Law Center? Who are the billionaire and multi-millionaire left-fascists bankrolling these rich fuckers?
Indiana Tom says
George Soros affiliated in some way according to rumours. Liberal rich Jews according to other rumours. Hollyweird gets involved from time to time. Rich people in big liberal cities. BosWash corridor would love both the SPLC and the ACLU. Sure Liberal corporate trust entities get involved such as the ones sponsoring on PBS. The SPLC and the ACLU were always leftist, they just are now coming out of the closet.
Lydia Church says
They should sue! If you don’t punish the criminals, they will commit more crimes in the future.
I don’t know what the stakes are but the comment is true, they deserve to be sued.
Anyone involved in the character defamation is complicit with the crime of slandering and false accusations. Anyone who works there or cooperates with them is guilty of this.
And for the record, I am an anti-islam extremist (extremely anti islam).
They can add my name to that list any day. I wear it as a badge of honor.
Frank Anderson says
L.C. please recognize that where SPLC exists (Montgomery, Alabama) the crime of slander/libel almost certainly does not exist. If it is a crime it must be prosecuted by the state, county or municipality with the law on its books and public prosecutor. A private suit would be for a tort, a claim that is not based on contract. There is no way to guarantee any outcome of a private law suit. Literally millions of dollars and years of litigation through many courts could result in a complete loss, a judgment for 1 dollar, or an uncollectable piece of paper. Pease consult a currently licensed and practicing attorney in your jurisdiction for legal advice.
Frank Anderson says
Many years ago I was asked by a title pawn company to represent them in a bankruptcy proceeding. I did because they agreed to pay my fee. But I explained to them that I felt Adolf Eichman was entitled to the best defense anyone could provide to assure a fair trial. (Imagine if you or your company were likened to Adolf Eichman) Needless to say they knew I did not wish to represent them again. The short answer to your question, NO I do not and have never represented SPLC, any of its members, employees, or anyone connected with it, and almost certainly would not because under Bar rules I am not required to represent a client I find to be morally repugnant.
I happen to know what I know from attending a fund raising event at a local Jewish Temple a number of years ago, and being a member of the Alabama State Bar for soon to be 38 years. As a *retired* lawyer, I have the same duty as an *active* or *inactive* lawyer to alert non-lawyers to their rights and duties. Both *inactive* and *retired* lawyers must then immediately add: “Please consult a currently licensed and practicing attorney in your jurisdiction for legal advice” upon giving the “alert”. A lot of non-lawyers are making comments which show the need for help in understanding the situation. I care enough about this group and forum to do what I can to help win, whether in court or by avoiding a long, terribly expensive war that would prevent more productive work we all wish to succeed.
Thank you for your question.
Peter says
SPLC = Socialist Propaganda and Lies Commissariat
762x51FMJ says
I always prepare for elections… And Judgeships
are the most difficult positions to vote for because Judges are prohibited from advertising
political affiliation or endorsement.
So I go to Media Matters and HuffPO and pick the opposite of whoever they endorse. It’s easy.
2 years ago 1 judge was claimed to be a single man with women seen in his hot tub squealing and giggling,
The other candidate was portrayed by Media Matters as a DFL endorsed family man with hunting dogs and looked too good to be true.
I voted for the hot tubs and chicks.
Valkyrie Ziege says
; The S.P.L.C. should lose it’s “charity”/tax-exempt status, because it isn’t a “charity”, it’s the aggressive, vicious tool of “The Nation of Islam”/”The Fruit of Islam”.
Frank Anderson says
In all probability the Nation of Islam is a tax exempt organization. It, if we are correctly naming it, is led by Louis Farakhan (sp?) a close friend of our former president. While tax exempt status was a long big fight to obtain for “tea party” groups, not so for others.
Alarmed Pig Farmer says
Identity politics = racism = which is now reverse racism. From the once noble SPLC no less. They’ve been sold to the Funders, not to be confused with the Founders. The mission of the Funders, largely accomplished even just this week with Trump being outed as a Neo-Nazi and the nation is in an uproar, even though the same thing happened under Barack Hussein, which is never mentioned in by almost all the media.
It’s brainwashing is what it is. Pure and simple. Ethics have fallen overboard and it’s all opinion programming now, paid for by the Funders. What you can’t say has replaced the content of what is said. Verboten content.
Brainwashing. Who will profit most by this astonishing place we’re in now. Why, the perfectly brainwashed people, the Moslems. They’re playing the propaganda tides better than anyone, and are looking to make waves. Look out for that last one.
Linda Clark formerly Linnte says
Slam their booties! And suck them dry of funds so they can’t operate any more! WHERE do they get their money from anyway? My guess it would be Muslim Brotherhood Organisations considering the focus of their propaganda.
And it would behoove any Counter Jihad group to sue individuals within the SPLC also. Make those individuals feel the consequences of their poor choices!
TWG says
“Who funds the SPLC” you ask? Wellllllll, back when the barack hussain islammunist regime was squatting in out White House, the American Taxpayers funded those shitstains. The islammunist regime secured SPLC to “consult” our very own Department of Homeland Security (at that time, run by the muslim brotherhood klan) and they ran the show, with nary a whimper from American Taxpayers and others who claimed to give a shit. That is also the time when the US Attorney General proclaimed that American Veterans and TEA Partiers were “Domestic Terrorists”.
Shit. Doesn’t anyone remember this crap we’ve been taking since 2009?
I’m not a lawyer, but if I were a lawyer I’d go after every last one of those motherfuckers. Straight for the jugulars. I’d shut down that klan, and then I would go after each and every employee and volunteer who has ever spewed their BS. I’d make the judges give me every-effing-thing they have. And then, I’d rake even more. Get the damned flame throwers out, folks.
It’ no wonder We, The People are losing this war. Most decent people aren’t paying attention, and most decent people have no memory. Because they’ve been so busy trying to maintain their jobs to pay their taxes and for all this “free stuff” the obama klan and other lazy opportunists are stealing.
Please pardon my cussing. The SPLC and their islammunist klan really pisses me off. They have defamed and slandered and demonized so many of my Friends, I absolutely loathe them.
And BTW…… Ann Corcoran, who writes the refugeeresettlement blog, really needs to jump on this. She has also been defamed and slandered by the SPLC thugs. ( https://refugeeresettlementwatch.wordpress.com/ )