Count me in. For years, the SPLC’s spurious “hate group” designation has been used to demonize, stigmatize, and marginalize foes of jihad terror and Sharia oppression. This has gone on long enough.
“‘About 60 Organizations’ Are Considering a Lawsuit Against the SPLC Following $3M Nawaz Settlement,” by Tyler O’Neil, PJ Media, June 19, 2018:
No fewer than 60 organizations branded “hate groups” or otherwise attacked by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) are considering legal action against the left-wing smear factory, a Christian legal nonprofit leader confirmed to PJ Media on Tuesday. He suggested that the $3 million settlement and apology the SPLC gave to Maajid Nawaz and his Quilliam Foundation on Monday would encourage further legal action.
“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 that’s part of the settlement,” Mat Staver, founder and chairman of Liberty Counsel, told PJ Media on Tuesday.
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.
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 reasons for including him, changing the reasons every so often, and even at one point mentioning that he had gone to a strip club for his bachelor party.
On Monday, SPLC President Richard Cohen extended his group’s “sincerest apologies to Mr. Nawaz, Quilliam, and our readers for the error, and we wish Mr. Nawaz and Quilliam all the best.” In settling the suit, the SPLC paid Nawaz’s organization $3.375 million.
“This is a significant settlement,” Staver told PJ Media. “3.375 million dollars, and it did not even go to litigation; it was a result of a demand letter.”
Importantly, “the allegations that were at issue here were very similar to the allegations against the other groups,” the Liberty Counsel chairman explained. “The SPLC promotes false propaganda, demonizes and labels groups they disagree with, and that labeling has economic as well as physical consequences.”
The SPLC started as a group to oppose racist terrorism, and its first legal action targeted the Ku Klux Klan. In recent decades, the organization has begun marking mainstream organizations as “hate groups” on par with the KKK. Last year, 47 nonprofit leaders denounced the SPLC’s “hate list” in an open letter to the media. The SPLC has admitted that its “hate group” list is based on “opinion.”
Staver insisted that the settlement with Nawaz “will encourage further legal action.” He suggested that the settlement “helps our lawsuit against GuideStar” and may encourage organizations that were considering suing the SPLC to actually file the paperwork.
“There are probably about 60 organizations that we’re talking to — there’s at least 60,” Staver told PJ Media. He mentioned the group of 47 nonprofit leaders who denounced the SPLC last year, and said “that group has grown since then.”
Furthermore, many of the “hate groups” attacked by the SPLC do not encourage hate or violence, but merely disagree with the left-wing organization’s political views. Many — like the Family Research Council (FRC), the Ruth Institute, and Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) — merely stand for marriage as between one man and one woman. The SPLC has twisted 30-year-old arguments to smear these groups, and in one egregious case the group actually quoted as hateful The Catechism of the Catholic Church.
Other organizations attacked by the SPLC also told PJ Media they are “considering their options” regarding a lawsuit….
Read the rest here.
elee says
About time this organisation got held responsible. What’s their funding source? U.S. tax money for sure, has anyone looked for Muslim funding in their books?
infidel says
Highly plausible that petro dollars are their main fund source. I have been saying this for long.. WHERE IS ALL THIS HUSH MONEY COMING FROM and that too to a poor NGO..
Fred says
This is good. All ultra liberals call you a nazi, neonazi, right wing white extremist, Anything, if you don’t follow their agenda. They are the racist , bigots. Hold them accountable for their slander that can get you killed by real racist bigoted religious extremists.
J D S says
The SPLC Has, long ago, lost its original concept and if all these organizations sue and win,draining their funds I doubt their coffers will be filled again because they seem to have lost their credibility.
Who wants to throw money on a burning scrap heap .
Frank Anderson says
J D S, I think Liberals determined to conquer and destroy any opposition would pour unlimited money to that purpose because while that case goes on, “we” would be prevented from doing much or anything other than litigating. We would be afraid of “influencing” the litigation, and we would not have time to do anything else. If Hitler had been sued does anyone think he or the party would have paid a mark? Think about the thousands of potential plaintiffs who were injured or murdered even before he became Chancellor. The German court system was weak before he took power and corrupt after. Looking at the total picture today, I don’t think it matters what state or federal court is involved, in the absence of more or less a hundred million dollars to spend on a decade of highly intense litigation with many plaintiffs involved, this potential case should be approached with caution after obtaining advice from an experienced attorney who has handled similar with success. You can be sure with many multi-hundred billion dollar companies, and many multi-billion dollar foundations and donors behind SPLC, litigation would be both furious and expensive. Please consult a currently licensed and practicing attorney in your jurisdiction for legal advice.
PRCS says
This was addressed on a Sunday evening television program (Life, Liberty and Levin).
His guest was Zuhdi Jasser.
I know Jasser takes hits for his point of view, but when Levin used the term “Sharia Law”, Jasser corrected him by stating–“The Sharia is Islamic Law”
It’s a pet peeve of mine.
eduardo odraude says
What is the difference between sharia and Islamic law? I thought they were exactly the same thing, so either term suffices.
Islamic law is clearer though, for people who don’t know the word “sharia”.
PRCS says
“What is the difference between sharia and Islamic law?” The sharia is the embodiment of ISLAMIC Law.
Using the term “Sharia Law” is like saying law law, and perpetuates the situation you describe below:
“Islamic law is clearer though, for people who don’t know the word “sharia”.
Thanks for your post.
TWG says
Reading this today is a, as Tony the Tiger would say, GRRRRRRRREEEEEEAT! way to start my day! Oh how I would relish in watching that hate-mongering klan go down. They need to be held accountable for their hate crimes, incitement to violence, slander and defamation. Their actions have caused irreparable harm to so many good people and organizations.
If I were a lawyer, they and their agents of hate would be on the very top of my list.
Mr. Spencer, I do hope you add your name to this list.
Westman says
Some encouragement for the 60 organizations:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXsQAXx_ao0&pbjreload=10
MFritz says
Bleed those bastards.
RichardL says
60 times 3 Million wouldn’t bother these totalitarian scumbags. That’s the bad thing.
gravenimage says
Richard, the SPLC annual budget is $432.7 million.
60 times 3 million would be $180 million–or over 40% of their budget.
https://www.splcenter.org/about/financial-information
This would be a huge hit–not that I think all these suits are apt to win, of course. But still…
Frank Anderson says
GI, each member of the firm could have 3 million or more in malpractice insurance. The insurance will pay for the defense and the judgment unless they exceed the coverage. And that limit is per claim. Someone else may have more complete information to help. “Please consult a currently licensed and practicing attorney in your jurisdiction for legal advice.” (required)
That insurance coverage is important in making strategic decisions on the suit(s). With the level of annual take (contributions and fees billed) it is highly unlikely they do not have all the coverage available. Insurance companies will do anything to drag a claim/suit out and to exhaust the plaintiffs (people/parties making the claims). The firm and members won’t spend a dime until the insurance either refuses coverage or runs out. Alabama has its own attorney insurance program through the Alabama State Bar. Many details should be online at Alabar.org. Another source of information on malpractice insurance might be Attorney Insurance Mutual.
Always, most sincere best wishes.
Mccode says
One hopes their bankrupt morality will soon be matched with their bankrupt financial status.
Frank Anderson says
A suggestion of caution regarding a “many plaintiffs on one defendant” suit. Especially when the defendant is a group of lawyers with 1) its own bankroll, 2) God knows how much malpractice insurance between all of the lawyers in the firm, and 3) many really rich supporters, the plaintiffs need to be aware of the defense opportunity to depose the plaintiffs to death. If 60, or any substantial number of plaintiffs join then each one could be deposed for a day or two, tying up their lawyers, and running up a court reporter’s bill in the thousands of dollars per each day. Paying the plaintiffs’ lawyers while this charade goes on could drain the plaintiffs’ resources before they get their turn at discovery. Generally the defendants go first in deposing the plaintiffs in order to help “frame” their answer to the complaint. If the plaintiffs’ lawyers do not get paid while this is going on, with every defendant excuse imaginable to stretch out the deposition process, the lawyers representing the plaintiffs could be bankrupt and unable to continue. Although bar rules, particularly in SPLC’s home state of Alabama, call for civility in the conduct of litigation, that call is window dressing for public consumption instead of any limitation on the aggressive use of the Rules of Civil Procedure,. Be prepared.
Please consult a currently licensed and practicing attorney in your jurisdiction for advice.
Westman says
Maybe it could be like the EU, a common economic source, only, where all 60 file lawsuits, serially, each demanding response. The death of 60 cuts.
Frank Anderson says
Westman, if many suits, even in many courts, were filed on the same basic fact of a single libelous publication the defense would almost certainly move to consolidate them into the first suit in the first court where it is filed, for judicial economy and to prevent inconsistent results.
All claims must be filed within the statute of limitations or they are gone. I’m pretty sure, but need better information, that the statute of limitation on intentional torts in Alabama, where the SPLC is headquartered in Montgomery, is 1 year, possibly but doubtfully 2, probably with that clock starting for libel on the date of first publication. An argument of “continuing injury” would not be strong or highly persuasive to get around the bright line of the date of first publication. A federal court would generally look to state limitation statutes for state law torts. There have been cases where a federal court certifies a question such as this to the state’s supreme court for a ruling, Filing a suit after the statute is expired could lead to sanctions and even disciplinary action against the plaintiff lawyer. A currently licensed and practicing attorney would know and be able to provide better advice and information.
See, e.g. Taylor v. Taintor, ____U.S. ____ (1881?) (The first court to take jurisdiction of a matter holds it to the exclusion of all other courts to the conclusion of all matters connected with the case.)
pdxnag says
Tax fraud. (Intentional?)
“[M]ost contributions to foreign charitable organizations are not [tax deductible]”
https://www.accountingweb.com/aa/law-and-enforcement/making-contributions-to-foreign-charities …
The .@SPLCenter gift to .@MaajidNawaz .@quilliam should come from funds where no one received a tax deduction.
– – – – –
Finally, Twitter has given me zero interactions for the above. Took them long enough.
https://twitter.com/pdxnag/status/1009452185610960896
Ashley says
This cracked me up:
“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 reasons for including him, changing the reasons every so often, and even at one point mentioning that he had gone to a strip club for his bachelor party.”
How pathetic to even mention the strip club…
Robert, you MUST go after the SPLC! I’m not particularly interested in the objectives of the Family Research Council (FRC), the Ruth Institute, and Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) as gay marriage doesn’t really ruffle my feathers. I AM passionate about Jihad Watch and your mission to educate about sharia, jihad, ISIS, the teachings of the Qur’an, recruitment strategies, and Islam-inspired terror. You do not preach hate. I would not follow this site if I saw any indication of such. I don’t agree that Islam is ALWAYS the force behind every depraved act committed by Muslims or suspected Muslim but that issue pales when compared to the wealth of knowledge, wisdom and understanding this site generously dispenses.
Go after the SPLC!
Indiana Tom says
at one point mentioning that he had gone to a strip club for his bachelor party.”
Hate crime no doubt.
Barguest says
Only if the strippers were actual women. If they’d been ‘transwomen’ or ‘genderqueer’, or whatever’s de rigeur in the world of identity politics this week, you can be sure it would’ve been just fine. After all it would’ve been an *inclusive* strip club.
Chin chin
B
Tracy Davies says
Antifa need bringing to court too. At the end of the day until government admits we have a Muslim problem its just going to carry on. They cannot bring theirselves to say Muslim and refer to grooming gangs as Asian, if I was Asian I would be going mad. What makes them so special we have one as mayor of London and another heading the Home Office?? White people are getting attacked by Muslims all the time it is never on TV, but if someone fights back and wins its all over media. Media need to wake up too!
wm1 says
Sue them into oblivion, to the extent they no longer exist. Perhaps, then, leftist radical activists will learn a valuable and redemptive lesson: Speak the truth or not at all. And be extra careful about who you smear and why.
SB says
(From SPLC website)
(SPLC website)
The SPLC is the premier U.S. organization monitoring the activities of domestic hate groups and other extremists – including the Ku Klux Klan, white nationalists, the neo-Nazi movement, antigovernment militias and OTHERS.
And OTHERS whom I assume are not ISLAMIC JIHADISTS!! Utterly pathetic.
Savvy Kafir says
This made my day! The PC Police finally get a long-overdue kick in the nuts.
I hope this is the end of the SPLC — and a grim warning to other groups (and individuals) like them.
eduardo odraude says
Oops, all you dupes donating to the SPLC — they just blew $3 million of your bucks on stupidity. Best hesitate about further donations, because it all might go to defending against upcoming lawsuits And guess where your money will go when SPLC loses? To pay damages to the people suing, whom the SPLC hates because of its own bias and ignorance.
DHazard says
The SPLC came to prominence when they successfully sued the KKK, which ultimately bankrupted them. It would be ironic and sweet if they were bankrupted by people who love justice, but were nevertheless branded as deeply racist by this “penultimate arbiter” of social “justice”.
gravenimage says
“About 60 organizations” considering suit against SPLC after $3,000,000 Nawaz settlement
…………………..
Ha ha.
Seriously, maybe the SPLC will be less quick to slander people like Robert Spencer.
Frank Anderson says
GI, the case of New York Times v. Sullivan, 376 US 254 (1964) originated in Alabama. The case gave rise to what is called “New York Times malice”. In order for a “public figure” (generally-a person who is already in the public eye before the publication) to recover for libel (written slander) he must prove “knowledge of the falsity or reckless disregard for the truth”. This is more than just printing false statements that might injure a plaintiff. Then the issue of damages: While being on their list may injure a person (legal entity or human) with people who follow SPLC it might also endorse that person with other groups or audiences. In order to plead a case (file a complaint) that will survive the first motion to be filed before even an answer is required (Motion to Dismiss for Failure to State a Claim) the complaint must state all of the elements of a claim when filed. If the complaint is ruled insufficient, there is usually an opportunity given to amend. This is a case that calls for a lawyer who has handled similar cases with a substantial level of success and who is prepared to wage all-out legal warfare for decades. Please consult a currently licensed and practicing attorney in your jurisdiction for legal advice.
FYI says
Apparently the hypocritical SPLC like making lists.
Other people who liked making lists:the Nazi Gestapo,the Soviet NKVD,the East German Stasi…isis..
Cohen,the self-righteous head of the SPLC Klan has a blind spot:islamic anti-Semitism.
Who appointed Cohen to be the arbiter of what exactly constitutes hate speech?
Has Cohen even read what the koran and islam says about the Jews??
Thank you Merkel! says
What “Cohen” is “head of the SPLC Klan”?
Ren says
Let’s financially drown the SPLC as it has no legitimacy on the moral ground.
Lydia Church says
Instead of going after sharia law and its supporters as a ‘hate group’ and ‘hate speech,’ they come after those who oppose the sharia hate and oppression, and label us instead!
If anything could make any LESS sense, they would go that route too!
I say, SUE THEIR PANTS OFF!
They deserve it!
Bezelel says
May the “Force” be with you!!!
warren raymond says
Amazing. How did he do it? How could he move so fast to shake them down for so much?
Definitely: go for it, Robert.
If Maajid Nawaz can do it, so can you.
Frank Anderson says
W.R. I think if you go to court and read the pleadings, the plaintiff filed his claim (suit) before the statute of limitation expired. Then somewhere soon after the suit survived a motion to dismiss for failure to state a claim, while discovery was being conducted, the plaintiff made an offer to settle for the entire coverage limits of all insurance. That offer to settle if refused puts the insurance exposed for the entire judgment including all in excess of the “normal” policy limit. Rather than pour huge amounts into a defense of a trial they knew would be at high risk of loss, they paid the offer. Now here is where I am really guessing: They waited to take the offer to make the payment of policy limits until after the statute of limitation passed for other claims to prevent just the kind of “dog pile” being discussed in this article. Please consult a currently licensed and practicing attorney in your jurisdiction for legal advice. Thank you for raising this issue.
BTW Alabama state courts and I believe all federal courts have online case files that can be accessed by those who are properly registered and admitted, such as attorneys.
revereridesagain says
Bankrupt the ba$turds!
Fred says
These real racist hate groups, such as SPLC and ALCU, Are nothing but trouble makers. Perhaps at one time they were doing good, or at least trying to. They have tax free status. They file frivolous lawsuits against anything that is not extreme left wing. They slander everyone to the point of putting a white man walking to work in danger of attack by some” minority group.” Apart sueing these groups, Amnd make them pay for the trouble they cause. They do not represent making america more fair and safe. Try to get help from ALCU, if you are an older adult, white, and got injured at work. Them
N they try to fire you or humiliate you into leaving. They will do nothing. Only if you are an illegal or some other cry baby special rights demanding group
JDow says
Oh Please Do It! And go after the officials of the SPLC individually, too. Make it impossible for them to come back together with a new name after bankrupting the SPLC into their own pockets so any court wins are worthless.
{^_^}
Frank Anderson says
JDOW, I don’t think you understand that as an extremely well funded law firm, SPLC and each individual member of the firm are covered by malpractice and general liability insurance that will cover both cost of defense and judgment for claims that are within the coverage of the policies. Before the insureds pay a dime (above deductibles and co-pays), the insurance will have to be exhausted, or deny coverage (which can trigger a suit for “bad faith refusal to pay claim” between the insured and insurance company). It is extremely likely, but not certain, that the amount paid in the case being reported in this story came as the policy limits of an obvious case the insurance company/(ies) knew it/they could not win. If the plaintiff offer to settle for the policy limits is refused by the defense insurance, the defense insurance becomes liable for the full judgment even if it is greater than the policy limits if the plaintiff wins, As a result of this case and any other where a loss is paid or an expensive defense conducted, the rates will rise on all the lawyers in the insurance pool, not just limited to those in the firm. Please consult a currently licensed and practicing attorney in your jurisdiction for legal advice.
A decision to file or join a suit such as this demands careful analysis and full commitment for more or less a decade of litigation in many courts that will distract from any other work the plaintiff might be able to do without the distraction. There is an example in history where Hitler decided on his own to declare war against the US in 4 days after Pearl Harbor, leading to his defeat. Emotion is not a good substitute for reason.
George Williams says
Honest but ignorant contributors will finally see through these scammers and cause contributiond to dry up. Once that happens, plaintiffs will go after the interest and principal on the investments. The premiums on their insurance will rise, and continue to rise, as libel damages take their toll. This will at least temper the SPLC tendencies. They will now have to work hard to prove their cases. Eventually the number of accused groups will decline, so the SPLC will not make the unfounded case for their existence. The SPLC is dependent upon the narrative that there is a continual expansion of their nemesis. They will no longer be able to show a positive slope on their graph of hate groups as a salient point for contributions.
Indiana Tom says
Overdue.
David, Thailand says
Oh no, does this mean the SPLC will henceforth be accountable for its actions?
ConnectingDots says
Because AFDI is on SPLC’s list, one cannot choose AFDI as the recipient of AmazonSmile donations. I know; I tried. Amazon explained to me that it uses SPLC to filter out 501(c)3 organizations.
I have had PragerU designated as my AmazonSmile recipient for a couple of years, but PragerU recently announced that SPLC now lists PragerU as a hate group. Let’s see what Amazon does because of this!
George Williams says
The repercussions are multifold.
1. Destroys credibility of present and future allegations by the SPLC.
2. Discourages SPLC from making cavalier libelous claims.
3. Encouages future injured plaintiffs to file suits.
4. Depletes SPLC fund to employers lawyers .
5. Drives off contributors.
6. Restores good name of libelled.
And last but not least, may evenyuslly put these bastards out of business.
Frank Anderson says
Mr. Williams, as long as they have insurance they can continue with little or no depletion of their resources. If they ultimately lose every claim brought against them the individuals in the firm and the firm will pay little or nothing other than increased insurance premiums, along with all other lawyers who have coverage through the same arrangement. Many Alabama lawyers are covered in malpractice claims through a mutual company created by the Alabama State Bar quite a few years ago because of high rates from traditional companies. That company’s name is Attorneys Insurance Mutual. If SPLC is covered through that arrangement every other lawyer covered by that plan will see assessments, increased rates or both to cover losses. But SPLC will have not only its “ordinary” sources, other “liberal” contributors will come to the rescue. Getting these cases into court before the time limit to file expires (statute of limitation), prepared to work and be worked *hard* for a decade or more and spend millions of dollars on attorney fees, court costs, depositions and travel expenses is a decision that is dangerous to make on a web-site poll. Please consult a currently licensed and practicing attorney in your jurisdiction for legal advice.
Stop Kafirophobia says
The guy in the picture should be sued for stealing Bea Arthur’s face.
762x51FMJ says
The SPLC’s motto is the same as it has always been.
All white people are racists and have gasoline soaked crosses in their garages waiting for this weeks lynching..
No one ever sees, videos, or reports this is occurring but it must be..because lynchings in the USA are like silent forests composed of quiet trees that happen to be invisible.
The SPLC is a racism for cash scam designed to scare people into voting out of anger and fear.
Frank Anderson says
I think your analysis and conclusion has more merit than you imagine. I have seen in person a fundraising appearance of one of its speakers. No matter what the outcome of any suit that lasts over a period of years or decades, SPLC will use the suit in its fundraising efforts to bring in more money and sympathy from gullible “liberals”. I love a quote I believe Ann Coulter originated: “If liberals (Democrats) had brains they would be conservatives (Republicans).” She is probably correct.
762x51FMJ says
SPLC now controls social media, removing news stories about the Islamic invasion of Europe.
And replacing them with a racism in America is so bad your white guilt demands you vote Democrat theme..
Really pathetic…
Jaladhi says
This bogus organization deserves to be shut down!
John Hopwood says
Although they have a seemingly bottomless pit, this is such good news, great news. Now for the follow up.
Frank Anderson says
J.H. the most cost-effective follow-up may be for the potential plaintiffs to continue what they are doing while reporting massively and regularly about this payment. Whether SPLC says it or not the act of the payment is an admission of guilt to anyone with a brain.
In 1986 I made a decision to go to war because that was the only choice I had if I wanted to live. Thirty Six years later, still looking forward to justice being done, I am still here after going through many courts, many hearings, many rulings, and a lot of paper and expenses. If any other choice had been available to me it would have been better. But evil, corrupt ?????????????? would not leave me any other path if I wanted to live. Frequently asked question-“Why should I die because someone else is evil?” I beat them. I exposed them. I left a record that cannot be hidden. But it took every penny I could find and all the time I had to accomplish that much. Television is not a substitute for law school, bar application, bar examination, continuing legal education, and experience. I am too old and in poor health to suggest to anyone that they should undertake a similar David v. Goliath contest with corruption without careful thought. “Living WELL is the best revenge.” “Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord: I shall repay.”
Frank Anderson says
I may be able to add, but it appears I cannot subtract. In 1982 the auditor told me the boss was ordering him to conceal the theft of $200 million in present value. In 1986 after more than 2 year of unemployment I filed my first suit and declared war.
Greg Taylor says
Grind em to dust
kouldb says
The dangerous & toxic mental, emotional, ethical, cultural, religious, racial & financial terrorist organisation, the SPLC, needs to be bankrupted. Whilst all it’s operational staff, from the top down, jailed for hate speech & for inciting hate crimes against everyone & ever organisation they’ve unjustly victimised. They need to be made an example of. And it can’t come soon enough either. Reptiles.