Congresswoman Nikema Williams Condemns the Prosecution of Southern Poverty Law Center

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) led 16 other members of Congress in condemning the Department of Justice for its prosecution efforts of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).

On Tuesday, April 21, the Department of Justice sought and obtained an indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center on 11 counts of wire and bank fraud. The indictment that the Department of Justice sought was a troubling escalation of the attacks on non-profits, educational institutions and law firms, an ever expanding enemies list.

The Members wrote: 

“The prosecution efforts of your Justice Department are troubling, sinister, and suspect. We condemn these efforts in the strongest possible terms and will not allow the Department of Justice to dismantle civil rights organizations while simultaneously abdicating your civil rights responsibilities.”

“The Department of Justice is weaponizing its powers to weaken the Southern Poverty Law Center and the entire infrastructure of civil rights advocacy. Your attack on the Southern Poverty Law Center began last year when the Department of Justice completely severed its relationship with the Southern Poverty Law Center, a relationship going back decades. Now, your indictment represents a dangerous departure from anti-white supremacist work that Department of Justice has pursued for decades and that Southern Poverty Law Center conducts to protect our communities.”

“This indictment not only impacts the efficacy and operation of the Southern Poverty Law Center; it also sends a chilling message to other civil rights organizations. As the Trump Administration continues to implement policies which limit and curtail the fundamental rights of Americans. The message is clear:if you stand up against your administration’s civil rights abuses, then you will endanger your tax-exempt status, and come under legal fire.”

In addition, the Members demanded answers to the following questions:

1. What is the history and practice of the FBI using paid informants in its investigations?
2. Which official from the Trump Administration ordered this investigation and pursuit of the subsequent indictment?
3. What data do you have to prove that the use of paid informants “manufactures the extremism” of the white supremacist groups the Southern Poverty Law Center was investigating?
4. Are there any other organizations on your list that you plan to indict for similar charges?
5. If so, which groups are under investigation for similar charges, and what evidence do you have to show that these organizations criminally misused funds?

The letter was signed by: Rep. Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Rep. Terri A. Sewell (AL-07), Rep. Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Rep. Jennifer L. McClellan (VA-04), Rep. Sean Casten (IL-06), Rep. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), Rep. Jared Huffman (CA-02), Rep. Jonathan L. Jackson (IL-01), Rep. LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Rep. André Carson (IN-07), Rep. Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Rep. Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rep. Andrea Salinas (OR-06), and Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL)

Click here to read the full letter.