SPLC president struggles to answer why left-wing groups missing from hate map
Southern Poverty Law Center President Bryan Fair faced sharp questioning from House Republicans on Tuesday over why the organization’s widely cited hate map does not appear to include violent antifa-affiliated groups, the left-wing pro-abortion-rights Jane’s Revenge, or Islamic organizations that oppose LGBT individuals.
TL;DR
- House Republicans questioned SPLC President Bryan Fair about why conservative groups are on the hate map, but antifa, Jane's Revenge, and some Islamic organizations are not.
- Republicans alleged ideological inconsistencies and a double standard in the SPLC's criteria for labeling organizations as hateful.
- Fair defended the SPLC's work, stating they identify groups based on rhetoric and conduct, not religion, and do not maintain a domestic terrorism list.
- The hearing touched upon a federal indictment accusing the SPLC of funding extremists and allegations regarding its former field-source program.
- The FBI previously severed ties with the SPLC, and the DOJ has secured an indictment alleging the group funneled donor funds to fuel hate.
- The SPLC pleaded not guilty, calling the charges politically motivated, with a trial set for October.