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Published by the Southern Poverty Law Center Fall 2020 Fighting Hate • Teaching Tolerance • Seeking Justice Volume 50, Number 3 Vote Your Voice to infuse $30 million in Deep South to mobilize voters The SPLC is investing up to The campaign seeks to em- president and chief executive of- that they are able to elect candi- $30 million from its endow- power communities by aiding ficer. “While we have seen gains dates who represent their values. ment in nonpartisan, nonprofit them in their fight against in voting rights and access in re- “These grants will lift up IN THIS ISSUE voter outreach organizations in voter suppression; support cent decades, since the Supreme organizations working at the Court gutted the Voting Rights ground level, and those maxi- a a a a Act in 2013, there has been a bla- mizing mobile technology and Far right exploits tant effort to deny voting rights social media in this time of so- through state actions.” cial distancing, to overcome demonstrations long-standing policies and prac- PAGE 3 Overcoming legacy of racism tices that have stifled the voice These tactics include purging and vote of Black and Brown a a a a voter rolls, blocking rights res- communities,” said Clare S. toration efforts, eliminating Richie, public policy specialist Education advocates ILLUSTRATION BY MARY KATE MCDEVITT KATE MARY BY ILLUSTRATION polling places, scaling back early at the Community Foundation. sue DeVos voting, instituting onerous vot- Organizations with a deep over funding er ID laws and limiting access to knowledge of the communities voting by mail. they serve are well positioned PAGE 4 “In addition to facing the to make a significant impact, legacy of systemic racism, explained Michael Lomax, a a a a the Deep South to increase vot- Black- and Brown-led voter communities of color face dis- president and chief executive er registration and participation outreach organizations; proto- proportionate harm from the officer of the United Negro among people of color over sev- type effective voter engagement COVID-19 pandemic,” Huang College Fund. eral election cycles. strategies; and re-enfranchise said. “Vote Your Voice ensures “We are at a point in our The Vote Your Voice initiative – returning citizens. more eligible voters of color in history as a nation when the a partnership with the Community “This country has a long his- the Deep South will have a say hard-won victories in the voter Foundation for Greater Atlanta – tory of denying voting rights in the direction of our country.” struggle for Black people are be- New film highlights will help support voter registration, to its citizens, especially Black The Vote Your Voice grant- ing compromised,” he said. “We threat to democracy education and mobilization ef- and Brown people, returning ees will engage millions of voters have to fight for that. ” forts in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, citizens and young people,” across the South to exercise their Go to splcenter.org/vote-your- PAGE 5 Louisiana and Mississippi. said Margaret Huang, SPLC basic right to vote and ensure voice to learn more.

The State of Women’s Suffrage SPLC LAUNCHES SOUNDS LIKE HATE PODCAST 100 years ago, the 19th Amendment gave for them and other women of color to vote. The SPLC launched its first original podcast – Sounds Like women the right to vote, but systemic sexism As director of the Voting Hate – in August. The audio documentary series explores the and disenfranchisement of Black women still Rights Practice Group at the dangerous realities of hate in modern America and the ways Southern Poverty Law Center, I people have escaped the far-right extremist movement. block equitable access to the ballot fight to ensure that everyone has Season one, produced and hosted by award-winning jour- the right to vote – regardless of nalists/producers/filmmakers Geraldine Moriba and Jamila By Nancy Abudu garner support in every state, so race or gender. Paksima, takes listeners into communities grappling with ex- Deputy Legal Director it unified around a loftier goal: a tremism. During each two-part chapter, they speak with people constitutional amendment that Systemic sexism, affected by hate, including a woman who became radicalized in Like other disenfranchised would mandate ballot access for disenfranchisement the world of white nationalism. people in the United States, women across the country. That The centennial of the 19th “As journalists representing listeners, women have employed many amendment, which was first in- Amendment’s passage is an op- we are asking questions and following ev- strategies over the years in their troduced in Congress in 1878, portunity to celebrate the courage ery lead even when they conclude at frus- fight for the right to vote. wasn’t ratified until Aug. 18, 1920. and conviction of the countless trating dead ends,” Moriba said. “Sounds Like In the late 19th century, some This year, as we commem- women who have fought on the Hate is not an interview show. It’s conversa- women pushed for equal suf- orate the 100th anniversary of front lines for equal rights. tions and authentic recordings of unscripted frage laws in individual states. the 19th Amendment – which But after successfully expand- dialogue that push and pull at stereotypes, Others turned to the courts. Still officially gave women the right ing women’s suffrage to all states, fragilities and firmly held beliefs.” others made their voices heard to vote – we must ensure that all the movement essentially split Sounds Like Hate covers a diverse range of topics, from a heat- through protests, silent vigils women have equitable access to into two camps: those who wanted ed battle to remove a controversial mascot and recognize Black and hunger strikes. the ballot box. to forge ahead for creation of the Lives Matter at a Vermont high school to an SPLC-exclusive in- They faced a swift backlash, Over the last century, while Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) vestigation into a white-power hate group. much like other groups seeking the political power of women has and those who focused on regis- “The unfortunate reality is that bigotry and racism are part of their constitutional rights, such as grown, seemingly gender-neu- tering and turning out the vote of the social fabric and history of our country,” said SPLC President the activists who emerged decades tral ballot requirements have as many women as possible. and Chief Executive Officer Margaret Huang. “It’s our hope that later in the civil rights movement disparately impacted women’s While both endeavors were this series will encourage listeners to take action against hate in who were thrown in jail or physi- voting rights. laudable, the split undermined their own communities.” cally assaulted for the right to vote. Black women, in particular, the united front that was crucial Sounds Like Hate is available on all major podcast platforms, Nevertheless, they persisted. have suffered disproportion- for either strategy to succeed. including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, By 1916, the movement for ately from voter suppression TuneIn and more. You can also listen at soundslikehate.org. women’s suffrage had failed to tactics that have made it harder Continued on Page 8 2 SPLC REPORT // WWW.SPLCENTER.ORG FALL 2020

A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT & CEO MARGARET HUANG SPLC REPORT Published by the Southern Poverty Law Center Finding Hope and Optimism in 2020 FALL 2020 The demonstrations over po- neo-Nazis attending demonstra- 135 symbols have been removed us stay rooted in the real experi- The Southern Poverty Law lice brutality taking place across tions in Knoxville, Tennessee; from public spaces. ences of classroom educators by Center is a catalyst for the country offer hope that our Washington, D.C., and Dallas As you’ll see in this issue, the providing diverse perspectives racial justice in the South nation might finally, and mean- only days after police killed SPLC is turning hope into action. and feedback on new resources. and beyond, working ingfully, address the anti-Black George Floyd in Minneapolis. Our “Vote Your Voice” initia- in partnership with racism that is an all-too-familiar It is easy, and completely tive is investing up to $30 million Determination and resolve communities to dismantle feature not only of law enforce- understandable, to fall into de- over several election cycles to There are other poignant re- white supremacy, ment, but our institutions and spair under the weight of the help grassroots organizations minders in these pages of how strengthen intersectional society at large. crises we are experiencing in register and mobilize voters of each and every one of us can movements, and advance They also provide hope that 2020. But there color across the make a positive change in each the human rights of we might finally begin to address is reason for hope Deep South. We other’s lives, and in our commu- all people. the painful inequities in this and optimism: us, are holding offi- nities – such as the inspirational DAN CHUNG DAN EDITORIAL DIRECTOR country laid bare by the pandem- all of us. cials accountable story of four Black women and Matthew Dakotah ic. However, President Trump’s Our nation has for protecting the the movement they created to authoritarian response to the awakened to racial health of people rename schools bearing the EXECUTIVE EDITOR demonstrations – and deadly and social injus- locked away in names of Confederate figures in Jamie Kizzire violence committed by others – tice in a way that prisons and im- Montgomery, Alabama. You can MANAGING EDITOR threatens to dash this hope. we haven’t expe- migrant detention also learn about our new pod- Christine Harrison rienced since the centers. And work- cast, Sounds Like Hate. Among A national reckoning civil rights move- ing with parents the episodes, you will hear a STAFF WRITERS Trump’s deployment of federal ment. At last, we of schoolchildren young woman personally re- Brad Bennett troops and agents in Portland, have seen the first Margaret Huang and the NAACP, count her journey into the white Kathryn Casteel Oregon, and in Washington, D.C., woman of color selected as the we are suing the Trump admin- nationalist movement and her Howard Graves has demonstrated a callous dis- vice-presidential candidate of a istration to stop a program that eventual escape from it. Booth Gunter regard for our Constitution. But major party ticket. would take funding away from Yes, there are grave reasons Will Tucker it’s not just Trump’s words and And symbols of the public schools. to worry about what we may yet Liz Vinson actions that have set off alarm Confederacy, which have long At the same time, our encounter beyond the horizon SENIOR CREATIVE LEAD bells, as the shootings amid served as painful reminders of Teaching Tolerance program in 2020, but there are also rea- Scott Phillips these demonstrations in Oregon the pervasive racism in our na- has launched online training sons for hope – hope powered by PRESIDENT & CEO and Wisconsin make clear. tion, are finally coming down. As sessions to help K-12 teachers, deep determination and resolve. Margaret Huang As you’ll read in this issue of of Sept 1., the SPLC documented administrators and counsel- I promise that with your contin- the SPLC Report, even before 76 Confederate symbols that had ors meet the special challenges ued support and confidence, the CHIEF OF STAFF these tragedies we found that been removed or relocated from of teaching children during the SPLC will remain unwavering in Lecia Brooks the white nationalist move- public spaces since Floyd’s death pandemic. On that note, we our commitment to dismantling CHIEF PROGRAM ment has increasingly embraced in late May. Since the 2015 white also share a conversation with white supremacy across our na- STRATEGY OFFICER violence as the only way to pur- supremacist attack that took the a member of our Teaching tion, working for the day when Seth Levi sue its racist political goals. We lives of nine Black worshippers Tolerance Advisory Board, a se- justice and equity are a reality CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER identified white nationalists and in Charleston, South Carolina, lect group of educators who help for all. Danny McGregor CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Teenie Hutchison MAILBOX CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Thanks to the SPLC for all you those deeper, broader conver- brands, statutes, flags and pro- polarized one way or the other. Erik Olvera do to seek justice for all. Voices sations and actions to bring a test signs. Please finish coming Especially in today’s climate, it are being raised in protest better tomorrow. It will not be into 2020 with an updated ver- seems hard for young people to CHIEF HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER against racism and people are easy. It will not happen quickly, sion of your quick statement understand to swing into ex- Twyla Williams registering to vote for change. but the path forward must be of vision to go with your new tremes is so very dangerous and BOARD OF DIRECTORS In addition, people are calling cleared for all generations to personnel and organization. destructive. Change can hap- Bryan Fair, Chair and writing their members of come. We need healing along- Thank you for all the work pen that benefits all, but it must Bennett Grau, Vice Chair Congress asking for equity ini- side of justice. you do. be done from a place of peace, Pam Horowitz tiatives to be passed, like rent J.C. D.O. compassion and wisdom. Marsha Levick relief and eviction moratoriums. Arvada, Colorado Westerville, Ohio I’m grateful for the work William Little COVID-19 is shining a light on you do. Karol V. Mason the need for these initiatives. Like so many, I am sad at the I hope your new podcast is a W.M. Lida Orzeck Let’s continue to use our unfolding events in our coun- smashing success, and I hope it New York, New York Elden Rosenthal voices so our country becomes try. But I want to thank you for finds its way into the ears and Katheryn Russell-Brown an equitable land of hope and the resource you have provided the hearts and minds of some I am a preschool teacher Verna Williams opportunity for all in the pro- me. I have been able to identi- of the white people who only who received your Teaching Joseph J. Levin Jr., cess of battling this pandemic. fy tattoos on young white men think they’re not prejudiced. Tolerance materials (Rhinos Board Emeritus W.D. and women in numerous cities Keep up the wonderful and and Raspberries) years ago. Snohomish, Washington during this conflict. And you important and necessary work We use them to this day. I just We welcome letters from have made me more knowl- that you do, spreading the word wanted to pass along to you all Southern Poverty Law While we must call upon law edgeable about the whole white that needs to be spread. that they work. They teach Center supporters. Send your enforcement to change the supremacist movement and When I was younger, I used empathy and concern for oth- comments and suggestions way they carry out their mis- the concept of accelerationists. to give donations to many ers and are very important to to: Editor, SPLC Report, sion, we must also find and Keep up the good work. worthy causes, but now that us. Thank you for making the 400 Washington Avenue, create new meaningful medi- L.K. I’m retired on very limited in- Teaching Tolerance materials Montgomery, AL 36104 or ums where people can come to Oakland, California come, I can only afford to have available to us! email to splcreport@splcenter. terms with the racism, bigotry one left: the SPLC. The most L.G. org. All letters are assumed to and ethnic discrimination. As a member of SPLC for many important one. Thank you and Meridian, Idaho be intended for publication Concurrently, we must go years, the term “Teaching bless you. unless otherwise noted. way beyond to create a re- Tolerance” has always both- D.C. I realize, when I see your © 2020 Southern Poverty newed culture where people ered me as too low of a bar. I Chandler, Arizona emails on the same day our Law Center, Inc. No part are accepted and respected don’t want you to teach people president has spewed such of this publication may be as members of our communi- to just tolerate their neigh- I wanted to thank you for [the hate and conspiracy theories transmitted or reproduced ties, our shared humanity. We bors but to desire to respect online caregiver] resource. It on Twitter, you offer hope that by any means without are not different but of one them and to create communi- is true that so many young peo- we can survive this dark period permission. All rights humanity expressed in many ty with them. ple become overzealous due to in our country. reserved. Printed on recycled ways. I hope you can provide The time has come while misguided or misleading infor- J.G. paper in the USA. leadership to contribute to others are updating their mation and become startlingly East Aurora, New York WWW.SPLCENTER.ORG FALL 2020 3

Confederate symbols have no HATEWATCH ANALYSIS FAR RIGHT EXPLOITS place in public spaces RACIAL JUSTICE DEMONSTRATIONS In a blatant act of defiance supremacist — who embraced total of 76 Confederate symbols By Hannah Gais against desegregation, which the Confederate flag — mur- have been removed, relocated or threatened the hold of Jim Crow dered nine Black members of the renamed since Floyd’s death, ac- Protests in response to Alamo Cenotaph Monument on the South, Gov. George Wallace historic Mother Emanuel AME cording to data as of Sept. 1. the murders of George Floyd, in San Antonio. ordered that the Confederate Church in Charleston, South In June, the SPLC sent let- Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, In Athens, Georgia, a lo- Naval Jack flag be raised over Carolina, in 2015. ters to the defense secretary and Sean Reed, Yassin Mohamed, cal antifascist group posted the Alabama Capitol on April In the wake of that tragedy, the heads of the Army, Navy, Air Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard several photos of “boogaloo 25, 1963, the day then-Attorney the SPLC released a first-of-its- Force, Coast Guard and National Brooks and so many others boys” dressed in Hawaiian General Robert Kennedy arrived kind report, Whose Heritage?, Guard urging them to remove have spread across the U.S. in shirts and carrying assault to meet with him inside the build- that identified Confederate Confederate flags and other recent months. rifles attempting to join the ing. It didn’t come down until monuments, flags and other symbols from all their installa- Emboldened by President demonstrations. Jan. 4, 1993, when Alvin Holmes, symbols located in public spaces tions in the U.S. and abroad. In Donald Trump’s spread of a Black state legislator, and the across the country. Since then, July 2020, the Pentagon issued misinformation, encour- Extremists respond a new policy that rejects displays agement of violence against The militarized response of “divisive symbols,” noting that protesters and ongoing vi- to ongoing racial justice the U.S. flag is the principal flag cious police crackdowns, demonstrations has animat- of the U.S. military and all others far-right extremists are using ed white extremists of all “must accord with … good order the demonstrations to direct stripes, regardless of wheth- and discipline, treating all our attention to themselves. er they belong to hate groups people with dignity and respect.” And in so doing, they fur- or antigovernment extremist ther an agenda in support of groups. They have, as a result, The Klan’s sacred stone systemic white supremacy sought to protect their pow- The SPLC has also called for the and hegemony. er through a variety of means.

JESSICA MCGOWAN/STRINGER/GETTY IMAGES MCGOWAN/STRINGER/GETTY JESSICA removal of the carving on Stone “Too many citizens prefer to On June 1, for instance, Mountain, the world’s largest cling to brutal and unjust sys- numerous reporters and ac- monument to white suprem- tems than to give up political tivists documented a large acy, which continues to stand power, the perceived benefits mob of white men armed with as the centerpiece of a Georgia of white supremacy and an ex- sticks and other weapons en- state park that draws more than ploitative economic system,” gaging in violence in the 4 million visitors a year. Some observed Michelle Alexander, Philadelphia neighborhood 15 miles northeast of Atlanta, author of The New Jim Crow, in of Fishtown. WHYY station The SPLC has called for the removal of the carving on Georgia’s Stone Mountain, the world’s largest monument to white supremacy and the centerpiece of a state park. the massive carving depicts The New York Times. producer Jon Ehrens, who Confederate leaders on horse- As in decades past, these ef- later described being beaten SPLC won a court battle to at last 135 such symbols have been re- back, hats over their hearts, in a forts have encouraged far-right by one of the men, reported force its removal. moved or relocated, including tableau that celebrates the val- groups and white extremists to on Twitter that he heard an- Since then, the SPLC has 111 monuments, according to ues of the Confederacy – white take part in the moment. ti-Black racial slurs among advocated for the remov- data as of Sept. 1. supremacy and the enslavement those in the crowd. al of Confederate symbols in Following the murder of of Black people. Militias threaten violence Anonymous threats arose public spaces nationwide, in- George Floyd by Minneapolis The history of this monu- Hatewatch identified white in the wake of the demon- cluding government buildings police in May, advocates of the ment is intimately tied to the nationalists and neo-Nazis strations, too. According to and schools. These efforts took Black Lives Matter movement attending demonstrations in images provided to Hatewatch on new urgency after a white have embraced the same cause. A Continued on Page 8 Dallas, Knoxville, Tennessee; from a social media page used and Washington, D.C., be- by residents of a suburban ginning on May 29 — three neighborhood in the Twin Community activists lead movement to days after police killed Floyd Cities area, several house- in Minneapolis. Since the holds reported receiving demonstrations began, mem- notes promising “payback” rename schools honoring the Confederacy bers of the Nationalist Social or threatening to torch their The four women – Marché Blair, 28, told the school board. the student population is pre- Club (aka NSC-131) have homes because of Black Lives Johnson, Khadidah Stone, Kayla “We cannot move forward by dominantly Black. taken to an encrypted so- Matter signs on their lawns. Vinson and Amerika Blair – had memorializing a history of Black After about three hours of cial media network to post spent almost two months pre- inferiority. … MPS (Montgomery debate, the women got what numerous photos of their ‘Tacit permission to fire’ paring for the Montgomery, Public Schools), I’m calling on they wanted: The board vot- members engaged in dis- Trump, who wrote on Twitter Alabama, school board meeting, you to stand against the lega- ed to rename the schools. But tributing flyers and banners on May 29 that “when the and when the day finally arrived, cy of white supremacy … and to the decision wasn’t unanimous related to demonstrations looting starts, the shooting they were ready. change the name of Lee high.” or without controversy. Board in Massachusetts and starts,” has simply encouraged They had one purpose that eve- The school was named only member Dr. Lesa Keith voted Tennessee. Reports of militia these racist acts to proliferate. ning: Convince the school board to months after the U.S. Supreme against each measure. groups in Minnesota began on Not long after the president’s remove the names of Confederate Court ruled in 1954 that all Keith – who had taught psy- May 30. tweet, one white national- leaders from three schools. schools should be desegregated. chology to Blair at Lee High According to social me- ist channel proclaimed that But in defiance, Lee opened as an dia posts, militia groups the president “just gave ‘We cannot move forward’ all-white school in 1955. Today, Continued on Page 8 figured prominently in a Americans tacit permission For decades, multiple efforts number of demonstrations in to fire on n*****s looting.” had been made to rename the Texas, Virginia, Georgia and The use of violent mili-

schools, to no avail. But in the LIZ VINSON Pennsylvania. Some, such as tary force against protesters July meeting, Blair and Vinson those in Lynchburg, Virginia, feeds into a paradigm that eloquently explained why they and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has caused these racist acts to believed the names celebrated patrolled the protest areas. proliferate. Though a June 1 white supremacy. In Dallas, the Oath Keepers report from the Department Robert E. Lee High School is turned out to “protect” lo- of Homeland Security assert- named after a Confederate gen- cal businesses. Elsewhere ed that much of the violence in eral. Jefferson Davis High School in the state, so-called “boo- the streets stemmed from “op- is named after the Confederacy’s galoo boys” – a loose group portunists,” the president’s president. Sidney Lanier High of antigovernment activists rhetoric – combined with School bears the name of a united by their calls for civil countless examples of police Confederate Army private. war – teamed up with a group brutality throughout the na- “We cannot move forward known as the Texas Freedom tion – has created space where without confronting the infra- Kayla Vinson (above) along with Marché Johnson, Khadidah Stone and Amerika Blair Force in an effort to act as far-right extremists feel safe structures that were built as a met through professional circles before working together on the campaign to remove “peacekeepers” near the to operate with impunity. statement of white supremacy,” Confederate names from three high schools in Montgomery, Alabama. 4 SPLC REPORT // WWW.SPLCENTER.ORG FALL 2020

SPLC takes action to prevent prison STOCK/FG TRADE STOCK/FG i deaths amid coronavirus crisis As the pandemic has spread Also, the SPLC reported in June number who are elderly or med- to every corner of the United that white people were more than ically vulnerable and thus at States, making the nation a twice as likely to be granted parole heightened risk from the virus,” world leader in the number of as their Black counterparts. said Shalini Goel Agarwal, SPLC COVID-19 cases and deaths, Even before the pandem- senior supervising attorney. incarcerated people have need- ic, the Alabama Department of lessly died in the Deep South, Corrections was warned by the Louisiana despite warnings from the out- federal government about its In response to the COVID-19 The Department of Education has ordered school districts to use an unlawful process set by the SPLC, public health failure to protect the health and threat in Louisiana’s prisons and to inflate the amount of federal COVID-19 aid they must share with private schools. experts, attorneys and others. jails, the state implemented a dan- In a lawsuit filed in July, the SPLC and co-counsel challenged the illegal rule. What’s more, even after re- gerous plan to send COVID-19 ported deaths, federal agencies Southern states have patients to “Camp J” in the Education advocates sue over and Southern states in which the Louisiana State Penitentiary SPLC works have ignored or been ignored or been slow (commonly called Angola), which slow to respond to calls to public- was closed in 2018 due to poor DeVos scheme to deprive public ly reveal mitigation plans should to publicly reveal conditions. The SPLC and the a coronavirus outbreak occur in Promise of Justice Initiative filed schools of COVID-19 aid their facilities. In the absence of mitigation plans for a a lawsuit to block the plan. As states and municipalities COVID-19 aid they must share this leadership, the SPLC is work- Hundreds of people in pris- face budget shortfalls because with private schools. The rule ing to protect people held in both coronavirus outbreak. ons and jails have tested positive. of lost tax revenue during the drastically diminishes resources prisons and immigrant detention In one Louisiana facility, 192 out COVID-19 pandemic, public available to public schoolchildren, centers throughout the South. safety of its incarcerated popula- of 195 incarcerated people test- schools are sure to face painful including historically underserved tion. The government urged state ed positive. As of early August, cost-cutting measures. student populations. Alabama elected officials to take action to at least 17 people in Louisiana At the same time, educators The first person to die in prevent more violence and death. Department of Public Safety & are being asked to do more with Illegal, harmful scheme Alabama’s prisons after test- Corrections custody, and five less, such as ensuring children In a lawsuit filed in July by the ing positive for COVID-19 was Florida agency staff members, have died. continue to learn during school SPLC and co-counsel, plaintiffs, among the more than 1,100 incar- In Florida, the SPLC was forced closures, have access to technolo- including the NAACP and pub- cerated people identified weeks to file suit in May for access to Immigrant detention facilities gy and receive nutrition and social lic school parents and districts earlier by the SPLC as having an public records about the state’s In April, a federal judge ordered and emotional support – all with across the country, fought back elevated risk for extreme cases of policies to handle COVID-19 immigration authorities to be- insufficient guidance and funding against DeVos’ illegal and harm- the illness because of their age. in prisons. Over two months, gin considering for release all from the federal government. ful scheme, which applies to The SPLC began publishing the Florida Department of detained immigrants at higher That’s why Congress passed the emergency relief funds that this data as it called on the state Corrections (FDC) provided one risk of COVID-19 complications, legislation including desperately Congress allocated to states and to release as many people as pos- document in response to requests after a lawsuit by the SPLC and needed support for public schools, public school districts under sible to head off an outbreak. for 26 categories of information. allies. The judge admonished which educate the vast major- the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and After the SPLC’s initial re- When the state produced docu- Immigration and Customs ity of students. Yet, Education Economic Security (CARES) Act. port, the Alabama Bureau of ments after litigation was filed, it Enforcement for risking lives. Secretary Betsy DeVos is using the Under ED’s new rule, school Pardons and Paroles (BPP) re- refused to produce policies about “The Court concludes crisis to further a political agenda districts must divert more fund- started hearings in May after hygiene, visitation, or communi- Defendants have likely exhibited that favors private schools, rob- ing for “equitable services” to suspending hearings due to the cation with loved ones, asserting callous indifference to the safety bing their public counterparts of private school students than pandemic. After resumption, the they are security-sensitive. and well-being of the [detained COVID-19 aid. the CARES Act allows or else SPLC found that the BPP contin- “The public has a right to immigrants],” the judge ruled. The Department of Education face onerous restrictions on the ued to block prisoners’ release, know how FDC is handling “The evidence suggests system- (ED) has ordered school dis- use of those funds. Both options denying hundreds of paroles even COVID-19 in the prisons, which wide inaction that goes beyond tricts to use an unlawful process to those who would soon be freed incarcerate nearly 96,000 peo- a mere ‘difference of medical to inflate the amount of federal Continued on Page 6 under mandatory release anyway. ple, including a substantial opinion or negligence.’” In pursuit of equity for all

By Lecia Brooks We have worked diligently on this task, and as the low-income earners and immigrants, laying bare the SPLC Chief of Staff process continues, I am excited to share key elements persistent suffering and discrimination so many have of our vision for the future. long known. We’ve responded by providing emergency Next year will mark the 50th anniversary of the Of course, the SPLC will be an organization focused food security grants to foodbanks across our five states, Southern Poverty Law Center. on dismantling systemic white supremacy in our so- and demanding protection for people held in jails and What began as a small law firm with three employees ciety. Our work, however, will go far beyond simply immigrant detention centers. We’re also working to in a storefront in Montgomery, Alabama, has grown into combatting hate. We will ensure that an antiracist ensure safe voting opportunities in all communities one of the nation’s leading civil rights organizations with lens is present within everything we do. We also recog- amid the pandemic. more than 350 employees spread across multiple offic- nize that in the 21st century es in five Southern states and the District of Columbia. it is not enough to fight for Demonstrated commitment As we approach this milestone with a leadership a future of “equal opportu- And, of course, it is during this pandemic that millions team that includes new President and CEO Margaret nity.” We must ensure the of people across the country have taken to the streets

Huang, we believe it is a critically important time for MICHELLE LELAND tools and support are there to demand justice for the killings of George Floyd, us to ensure the SPLC continues to meet the 21st cen- to provide equitable out- Breonna Taylor, Tony McDade, Sean Reed, Yassin tury challenges and needs of the communities we comes. In other words, the Mohamed, Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Brooks and so serve. That’s why in late 2019, we began to map out the SPLC will dedicate itself many others by police and vigilantes. SPLC’s mission and direction for the decades ahead. to working collaborative- As a result, we’ve redoubled our efforts to combat We expect to complete the process just in time for our ly with the communities racial injustice with the Intelligence Project, Teaching 50th anniversary. we serve to pursue equity Tolerance and our legal practice groups. We are deeply for all. committed to a nation of hope, equity and true justice Promising awakening What’s more, we recognize these issues converge for all. It’s an essential goal that was set almost half a cen- As demonstrations throughout the country have shown, in communities along the lines of race, gender, immi- tury ago in that small Montgomery storefront. And it’s our nation is at a watershed moment. There is a promis- gration status, sexual identity and economic status, a purpose that’s shared today by the more than 350 in- ing awakening to deep and longstanding racial injustices. among others. This intersectionality must be recog- credibly talented and dedicated people who work for the As an organization, we must rise to the occasion and work nized in our work to ensure the greatest impact. The SPLC across the Southeast and in our nation’s capital. shoulder-to-shoulder with impacted communities to pandemic, for example, has had a disproportionate and Together, we will ensure the march toward justice create a truly racially just and more equitable tomorrow. devastating effect on Black and Brown communities, continues in 2020 and beyond. WWW.SPLCENTER.ORG FALL 2020 5 SPLC investigation finds renewed focus on terrorism in white power movement By Cassie Miller Three people in Maryland face But, in recent years, many in that’s not gonna end. … Like, look, Megan Squire, a professor gun-related charges after building the movement invested their there’s no turning back the clock. of computer science at Elon In December 2018, a man a cache of weapons and ammuni- energy in political activities and Our numbers are just not gonna University in North Carolina, named Rinaldo Nazzaro pur- tion. The day after they were taken pinned their hopes on politicians increase from here.” has argued that legislators con- chased 30 acres of remote land into custody, three others were ar- who they saw as fellow travelers. tinue to pursue reactive policies in Republic, Washington, a city rested in Georgia for conspiring to Accelerationists see that as a Online spaces foster terrorists rather than work to anticipate of roughly 1,000 people near the murder a couple involved in anti- waste of time. Given the scope of For this terroristic part of the how extremists will use new Canadian border. The property fascist activism, and another was continued demographic change, movement to gather any mo- platforms to propagandize and was meant to serve as a training charged with vandalizing a syna- mentum, members recruit in the future. ground for a white power group gogue in Racine, Wisconsin. needed spaces to congre- Use of mainstream plat- he founded earlier that year The arrests may have sig- Decentralized social gate and reinforce each forms like Facebook is part of the called The Base. naled the end of The Base. But other’s belief that vio- problem, while the other is the This was a small but com- the group is not alone. media has resulted in an lence is the only solution. emergence of an alt-tech infra- mitted network of white It is part of a growing wing In the years since Donald structure – including social media supremacist extremists who of the white supremacist move- emboldened white power Trump was elected, the ac- platforms, payment processors, were prepping for a race war. ment that refers to itself as celerationist movement video streaming services and Only in the midst of violent “accelerationist.” movement that openly has grown online – where more – where extremists can do chaos, they believed, could they advocacy of violent ex- and say whatever they want with- gain sovereignty over the white Pinned hopes on politicians encourages violence. tremism is more difficult out fear of being “deplatformed,” homeland they hoped to con- What defines accelerationists is to control. or removed from internet forums. struct. The goal was “system their belief that violence is the they view the notion of building Social media has become “There will be a move to- collapse,” and they were willing only way to pursue their politi- an enduring and conscious- more decentralized, and acceler- wards the decentralized web, to commit acts of terrorism to cal goals. To put it most simply, ly pro-white political coalition ationists are less fearful of being which is this peer-to-peer inter- advance their cause. they embrace terrorism. improbable. kicked off their internet plat- net replacement,” Squire said. From its genesis, the network Violence, of course, has al- Nazzaro, The Base’s founder, forms for advocating violence “It will be very hard to appeal grew and distributed propa- ways been at the core of the white explained in a December 2017 and spreading false propaganda. to any centralized authority to ganda, and then began to hold power movement. It is irrational podcast why he had chosen to de- The result is an emboldened and do things like remove manifes- training camps. to suggest that any of the move- vote himself to “system collapse” solidified segment of the white to files or … [take] a disruptive But this past January, the ment’s goals – racial separation rather than politics: “As time power movement that celebrates person off of a social media site.” group took a possibly insur- or the creation of a white ethno- goes on, our numbers continue to mass killers and openly encour- To learn more about The Base mountable hit when seven state – could ever occur without dwindle, the pressure keeps get- ages white men to commit acts and other extremist groups, go members were arrested. violence on a massive scale. ting ramped up on whites’ cause of violence. to splcenter.org/hatewatch.

Inclusive education in uncertain times Editor’s note: This conversation – community within our larg- relevant and applicable mate- set against the backdrop of an un- er school community. This rial should always be a priority. relenting pandemic and nationwide allows us to have intimate con- It is possible to build a strong demonstrations for racial justice – versations regarding social community virtually. It is also features Kishanna Harley, a veteran and emotional needs as part of possible to nurture one another educator at the Capital City Public our curriculum. We also have during this time, which in turn Charter School in Washington, D.C., programs in place to help stu- helps to strengthen community and 2019-21 Teaching Tolerance dents and families during this ties and connectivity. Advisory Board member. challenging time via our fami- ly engagement office, including What resources or addition- What is your biggest concern the expertise of two phenomenal al advice would you offer to as the new school year begins, therapists and social workers. teachers in the coming months? PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY SUNNY PAULK (SOURCE IMAGES FROM GETTY) FROM IMAGES (SOURCE SUNNY PAULK BY ILLUSTRATION PHOTO The SPLC has joined a voting rights campaign as part of “All In: The Fight for and how will you overcome it? More than anything it’s im- I referenced ensuring curric- Democracy,” a voter suppression documentary. Liz Garbus and Lisa Cortés directed My biggest concern as the new portant to remain understanding ulum and learning is centered the film featuring Stacey Abrams, a Georgia politician and voting rights activist. school year begins is ensuring and flexible. It’s also important around relevant and applicable that we’re centering and serving to engage students and families material. Educational systems students and their needs. We are in a way that reminds them that are steeped in white dominant ‘All In’: SPLC supports voter all continuing this journey into we are here to support them as culture and, by default, curric- the unknown, and I know that much as possible. It is also easi- ulum as well. Stop centering suppression documentary students are getting lost in the er to disengage during this time, whiteness and start honoring shuffle because historically their so ensuring that curriculum The SPLC has joined other little-known legal and structur- voices haven’t mattered. and learning is centered around Continued on Page 8 advocacy groups to promote a al barriers employed to block I have chosen to return to the get-out-the vote effort as part of equitable access to the ballot classroom and work with stu- a new documentary, “All In: The box. Interweaving lived experi- dents in a more direct fashion

Fight for Democracy,” which ex- ence with current activism and as an English teacher. I was an CONTRIBUTED amines the history, and reveals historical insights, the mov- English teacher for 10 years prior the current depths, of voter sup- ie exposes a clear and present to becoming a school librarian, pression in the United States. danger to our democracy. and in a full circle moment, I will Directed by award-winning In conjunction with the film’s return to this role after serving filmmakers Liz Garbus and release, organizers have launched as a school librarian for 4.5 years. Lisa Cortés, the film promi- a nonpartisan campaign with the nently features Stacey Abrams, hashtag #ALLINFORVOTING How will your approach to the former minority lead- supported by the online action inclusive teaching differ now? er of the Georgia House of hub, allinforvoting.com. The My approach to inclusive teach- Representatives and 2018 gu- project seeks to educate and reg- ing has always been to center bernatorial candidate, who has ister first-time voters, mobilize students’ needs. Will it look dif- since become one of the nation’s communities to vote and train ferent? Yes, but the passion and foremost voting rights activists. citizens to know their rights and drive to do so will not. Abrams adds her voice, report voter suppression. We utilize an advisory mod- Teaching Tolerance Advisory Board Member Kishanna Harley will return to class- and considerable exper- el where I teach. All students room instruction this fall amid a pandemic. Her advice to fellow educators is simple: tise, to an insider’s look into Continued on Page 6 are part of a smaller school Listen to the needs of students and center instruction around relevant materials. 6 SPLC REPORT // WWW.SPLCENTER.ORG FALL 2020

TRIBUTE GIFTS RECEIVED BY THE SPLC FROM APRIL 2020 THROUGH JUNE 2020 The SPLC is grateful to all those who support our work. Tribute gifts of $100 or more are included in this listing.

In memory of

Garry L. Abrams P. Castro Stephen Galper, MD, JD Vickie Iddings Andrea Lyons Robert Henlee Northington Toni Rosenberg John M. Sullivan Linda Aleahmad Robert R. Chandler Elliot Gilman Van Jamison Thelma Macaluso Samuel Novanstern Kenneth H. Ross E. Bernardine Sydner Greg Alfus Ann Cohen Paul L. Giuffre Ruth Juchter Andrew Mahoney Gilbert Nussbaum Thomas Ruppel Martha O’Rourke Tanner Blane Anderson Daniel Cohen Herb Goldstein Rosalie Kane Benedicta Malcioln Pedro Ojeda Lawrence M. Ryan Breonna Taylor Harry O. Ansorge, Jr. Selma Cohen Michael Gompertz Marcia Kaplan Don Hall Marmaduke Duane Olson Lydia Sacharoff Percy Lee Taylor Ahmaud Arbery Donald Coleman Paul Gonson Bob Kayman John and Carolyn Martin Audrey Oppenheimer Max Saines Harry Thiel Alan Averback Joe Costanza Richard Grace Joan Ketterman Travon Martin William O’Rourke, Jr. Kathleen M. Sands Heather Valentine Ruth Ayers Naomi Cowen Stephen Graef William Kiernat Richard Martin Bubbie Dorothy Osheroff Angela Ola Sangsten W. Keith Vaughan Diana Aykanian Elijah E. Cummings Peggy Grandjacques Martin Luther King, Jr. Ethan McDonnell Glenn A. Palmer Sue Hall and Robert D. Schapiro Melvin Wachspress Megan Louise Baker Stephen Matthew Curry Douglas Grant Martin S. Klein Kelly McDowell Winifred “Winnie” Evers Pardo Aaron Schectman Evelyn Beatrice Wallace Marietta Barnes Stephanie Czelder David Green Kathy Korda Linda McDowell Duke Pasquini Michael Schubart Stephen Murray Wallace Roby Bearden Charles and Esay Danziger Jerry and Marie Green Lee Gardner Korol Ryan Meckel-Parker Gary Petersen Elliee Sellers Jeanne C. Walsh Adrien Becker Murray and Barbara Dobro Stephen Joel Harding Jim Kottmeier Marianne Schwarz Meijer Catherine Phillips Martin I. Shelton Marjorie Weber Carolyn Becker Dee Doll Florence “Flo” Nick Kotz Arnold Mendales Maria Pitt Thomas Shull Elliott Weinberg Gail Becker Walter J. Draus Warshawsky Harris William B. Kremer Dora Miller Patricia K. Porta Noah Siebeck-Smith Ann L. Weiss Joye Bell Michael F. Driscoll Judy Hunziker Harris Nancy Benson David Durante John H. Harwood, II Rosalie Kune Marjorie Milligan Ann Prendergast Denise Simpson Seymour Weiss John Bermon Carol Ann Esposito George Reading Henry Joretha Langley Dorothy J. Mosher Julius H. Preston, III Louie Sinclair Lewis Paul Williams Karen Bez Phyllis and Irving Exter Harriett Hernick Edward Level Yvonne Mosick John Prine Robert Daniel Sloan Ethan David William-Hirst Tricia Boone-Proctor Raphael Ezekiel John Hill Paulina Levin Max Mozell Eleanor Rainford Aiden Smith Janet Marie Wilson Beth Bormann Christopher Faughnan Sheppard Hobgood William Levin Natalie Mozer-Renn Rebecca and Brooks Ramsey Margaret Smith Kenneth P. Winter James Michael Boyle Milton Finkelstein Julia Holleman Arnold Levine Wally Nadel Cheryl Reidy Thelma Soto Wallace Witham Michael Brown George Floyd Arthur Kelly Hooks Saul Levy Mitko Nedeff Daniel P. Richardson Benjamin Stalzer Edward George Wolf John Calhoun Barbara Lynn Ford Steven Huffman Tim Liszewski Orrin Neiburger Scott Robinson Paul L. Steinberg Jane Wong Young Alexander and Jean Cameron Andrew Fredman Jessie D. Hunter Obie Lorenza Logan Sarah Milledge Nelson Carolyn A. Rose Lucille Ann Stephenson Lepa Zanova Charles “CJ” Carpenter, M.D. Philoine Fried Suzanne Hyman Frank Lossy Charlotte Ngarukiye Marvin Rosenberg Mary Stonework Craig Zetterberg

In honor of

Barbara Abercrombie Rose Cassidy George Floyd Becky Gould and Lucy Haug Steve Corkin and Marcus Rabinowitz and Eliza Olivia Scheyer Rachel Theriot Emily Ackerman Mervin Cherrin Nicole Forrest Ebonie Hazle Dan Maddalena Grace Huynh Rabinowitz Rachel Schneider Daniel Craig Thompson Matthew Addison Michelle Christopher Kendra Frautnick Eleanor S. Hecklau Kathleen Madden Huckle Rahr Thomas Schultz Katie Thompson Sophie Adelman Greg Jackson and Doug Borwick and Julie Frye Bryant Heinzelman Brian Maher Adam Rasmussen Jason Schusterbauer Toller Family Dads Yasiel Aguilera-Mendez Gustavo Cifuentes David Fuller Stan Herman Richard Malkin Isabel Reckson Charles Schwartz Kathleen Tonner Erin and Alex Akman Carson and Bennett Cooper Nina Gaby John B. Hickman, Sr. Jesse Marley Jim Reiher Jared Schwartz Damion Trasada Marcia and Franz Allina Ethan Cruze Daniel Gentry, Ph.D. S. Alan Hoffer Renay Matthew Ann Rethlefsen Kellynn Sembera Bill Tucker Anthony Amsterdam Lynne Kramer DíHuyvetter Sarah Gerard Keith Holste Gloria Mayer Jeannine Reynolds David Seymour, Ph.D. Willy Tucker Green Analytics Katherine A. Daly Garth and Marlene Gillan Margaret Huang Kerry McCammon Beau Rhodes Ruben Shapiro Erin and Mick Utley Galen John Anderson DeShawn Davis Charles Gillmore John Huddleston Anita McCann Nauman and Talat Riaz-Chaudhry Joseph Shaw Theresa Vicroy, MD Leslie Turner and Rick Ansaldo Holly L. Deierling-Dairi David Giwa Daniel P. Hurley Maureen McCarthy Mara Riegel Sarah Skrainka C. T. Vivian Ahmaud Arbery Rachel Despeaux Prospero Gogo Diana Ingersoll-Cope Michael McDermott Ray and Anita Ritchie Joseph Slimowicz Ed Waldrup Thea Atwater Jim DeTro Robert Goldstein Wes Jenkins James McLoughlin Jessica Roberts Bob Sloan Walsh Family Bob Ballenger Joe DiBari Delia Gomez Carolyn Kaplan Ron Means Ross Robertson Kathy Coyle Smith Sarah Wan Leigh Bangs Clara Doetsch Meg Goodhand Marcia Kaplan The Meiers Taylor Robinson Margaret Smith Bruce Warschoff James R. Barrett Myrna Donahoe Sabrina Goodwin Eugene and Maureen Keogh Donald W. Miles John Rockwell Sharon and Reggie Smith Ben Watson Nuala O’Connor and Peter Bass Mordecai Duckler Sarah Gotlieb Mark Kessler Chantal Morrissey Lilliam Alicea Rodriguez Martha Solinger Richard Weaver Andrea Beaser Kaitlin Dunne Gordon Granger Dr. and Mrs. George and Connie Morse Olivia Roginson Anthony H. Speier, Jr. Russell Webb The Bernstein Family Jeff Eagle Bernard Greenwald Doris Kieh Sarah Mott, JD Elden Rosenthal Stacy Spier Annika Weber (Sud Sisters Carwash) Kent Edwards Ellis, Rachael and Gary Gregory Grace Kilpatrick Lynne Zheutlin and Kevin Murphy Bill Rosser Jes Stephens Seymour Weiss Raja Bhatt Maya and Rohit Eipe-Smith Kevin Grigsby Ernest J. Korpela Betsy and Bill Nachbaur Gertrude Rothschild Eric Stewart Christopher Wells Joe Bishop and Family Bryan Robert Grill Gianna Stowe Tom Werman Black Lives Matter Mr. and Mrs. Mark Elbaum Sadie and Gabe Grodinsky Miranda Kramer Sarah Milledge Nelson, Ph.D. Greg Rotter Jonathan Bober Jon Kornblau and Marci Engel Kelly Baldrate and Jason L. Kropp Owen Moore Niles Todd Rubinstein Lynn Streeter David Whalen Jacob Bolton Jamal Evans Michael Grynberg Ryann Kuosman June Oakley Angela Ruman Ken Stubbe Alex Wheatley Ron Bookbinder Norman and Estelle Fabes Rick Guevara Maxwell Laibson Helen Bailey O’Connor Melissa and Josh Maryellen Sullivan Stella White David Braun Charlotte Fahey Emily Haan Fiona and Nathan Alexis Orenstein Runstrom-Rubin Mark Suriano Dana Williams-Johnson Joel Breman Jane and David Fan Andrew Hague Lawrence-Paine Paul O’Shea Thomas C. Ruppel Harlan Mark Sylvan Margrethe Williams Jeff Brice Ekta Farrar Daniel R. Hamlin Ruth and Dave Leipold David Osborne Mike Russo Rita Taggert Hal Willingham Lauren Bright Sumner Feldberg Alex Harper Jakob Lengacher Emanuele Ostuni Diane Salamon Maxwell Taibson Georgina Wilshire Walter C. Britt Judy Fell Brent Harris John Lewis Ingrid Oxaal Monica Dittfeld Sanchez Jessica Sones and Brian Tanen Nina Winans Alicia D’Addario and Sam Brooke Paul Fennell Madison Lasris and Lori Limpar Glenn Page Joe Sandven Eric Taxer Michael Wytock Elliott Buckner Jenna Ferer Christopher Harris Kelli Parker and Parker Lippitt Jess Pedersen Resat Say Breonna Taylor Douglas Yee Hanna Burnett Bruce Fest Doreen Harris Mike Lundgren David Petrasek Rebecca Benitez and Melanie Taylor Eleanor Ramlow York Vashti Burton Jane Finger Kate Harris Andrea Lyons Carrie Pratt Ryan Schauland Barbara Terao Ann Zald John Vincent Carlson Scott Fleisch Olivia Harris John MacEnulty Bob, Mary and Connie Prince Jeff Scherer Harvey Thaler Karen Zuidema DeVos undermines districts New film highlights threats to democracy, voting rights From Page 4 either: 1) allocate CARES Act leaders and lawmakers who said funds for private schools based it violated the CARES Act. Several From Page 5 is Local and the Florida Rights violate the clear language and on all students enrolled in pri- state attorneys general have sued. Restoration Coalition, among intent of the CARES Act – which vate school, including students “The project started when I other advocacy groups and cul- Congress passed to make un- from more affluent families who Host of education advocates met Stacey Abrams in the sum- tural and interfaith leaders. restricted emergency funds make up the majority of private The plaintiffs in the lawsuit in- mer of 2019. She came to New In addition, a local grant pro- available to serve public school school students, or 2) allocate clude the NAACP, public school York … to explore making a film gram is supporting grassroots students nationwide – and will these funds based on the num- parents across the country, about voting rights and its tor- organizations working to ed- undermine district efforts to ber of low-income students at Broward County Public Schools tured and tumultuous history,” ucate and mobilize voters in adequately serve students who private schools but face severe in Florida, DeKalb County explains Garbus. “It was a bit of 10 states: Alabama, Arizona, need services and support due restrictions on how the rest of School District in Georgia, Denver kismet, because I had wanted to Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, to the pandemic. the CARES Act funds can be County School District, Pasadena make a film about the franchise Pennsylvania, South Carolina, used, including a prohibition on Unified School District and after the 2016 election but didn’t Texas, Virginia and Wisconsin. New rule forces illegal options their use to serve any students Stamford Public Schools. They have the ‘hook.’ Stacey’s guber- “All In: The Fight for The CARES Act directs pub- who do not attend Title I schools are represented by the SPLC, the natorial race of 2018 was that Democracy” is co-produced by lic school districts to calculate (schools receiving financial Education Law Center and law hook … the small story that could Garbus, Cortés, Abrams and Oscar- the amount they must set aside assistance for educating partic- firm Munger, Tolles & Olson. tell the big one.” winning producer Dan Cogan. for private schools based on the ularly high numbers of students The organizations collaborate The film’s theatrical re- number of low-income students from low-income families). on Public Funds Public Schools, a Grants support grassroots lease – following state and local enrolled in private schools. The The rule was introduced in national campaign to ensure pub- organizations in 10 states safety protocols in theaters and rule DeVos issued, however, forc- April as nonbinding guidance lic funds are used exclusively to The campaign also includes drive-ins nationwide – was es districts to comply with one of from DeVos, and it received wide- maintain, support and strength- Black Voters Matter, People for slated for Sept. 9, and it can be two illegal options. They must spread criticism from education en the nation’s public schools. the American Way, All Voting streamed on Amazon Prime now. WWW.SPLCENTER.ORG FALL 2020 7

‘Not for ourselves alone’ David Wang held a tremen- a director for companies includ- Scroll of Remembrance dous sense of justice for all of ing Union Carbide, Yankee Cos., The Southern Poverty Law Center pays tribute to the memory of deceased supporters who humanity during his 87 years in Weirton Steel, UGI, AmeriGas, included the SPLC in their wills or other planned gifts. The SPLC gratefully acknowledges this world. Joy Technologies and BE&K. their bequests, received from June 1, 2019, through June 30, 2020. “He was eloquent, a true gen- tleman, with emphasis on the Renaissance view of the world Henry Adamowicz Charles J. Frisch Dennis J. MacCoumber Keith A. Roberts ‘gentle,’” recalls SPLC co-found- “Even after he left the board Robert V. Aiello Murray Gelman Padma P. Mahajan Walter Rosser Hannah Malkin Marjorie C. Sagman er Joe Levin. in the early 2000s, David still Joyce W. Alexander Gershon L. Gendler Annette L. Allen Ned Gillum Priscilla Maren Roy Schafer Wang served on the board thought strategically about the Kathryn S. Allen Norma H. Ginsberg Robert C. Margiloff Kurt Schekel of directors for the Southern Center’s future,” Levin said. Phyllis Anatole Carol Ginsburg Robert A. Marx Fred G. Scheuer Poverty Law Center for many “He came up with the idea of the Jo Andres Betty Gissendanner Sara Jane Mathews Frances Schlozman years, aligning his passion for SPLC engaging in issues related Leonard R. Atkins Jay S. Goldenberg Arlene I. Mayers Helga A. Schroeter human rights with his desire to to the abuse of immigrant work- Rubin B. Axelrod Samuel P. Goldstein Mary E. McAnally Sheldon D. Schubiner help those around him. ers in the Southeast. In short, Don S. Ayers David Green Kathryn T. McCullough Marilyn D. Serber “During his tenure on the he’s the reason our Immigrant Carol Beck Frederick Green Gayla K. McDowell Richard W. Sheasley board, David en- Justice Project was Donna M. Beck Herta Grove Madge Mceacharn Robert Shelton gaged deeply in established. It like- Fred V. Bernard Curtis L. Groves Jacqueline F. McKinley Richard Silverman its work and nev- ly would not have Robert D. Berry Robert L. Gruber Cornelia McNamara Phillip Singer er hesitated to happened without Robert R. Biemer Hansel C. Hall Kathryn L. McNamee Brijendra Singh PENNY WEAVER express his opin- David’s vision.” Manasha Bilsey Jane A. Hannigan Peggy J. Meade-Cohen Ellen Small ion, no matter the The SPLC’s Rose M. Bliss Suzanne Harper John V. Meeks Nancy R. Snow Maureen Meloy Betty-Jane Sobin subject. Because Immigrant Justice Eleanor Bogert Albert E. Harter Dale L. Boyer Joseph Hartnett Eugene Menaker Grace Spruch of his diligence, he Project continues David S. Brown Arthur J. Haskell Paul Michabofsky Ruth F. Stuart was listened to by to combat injustice Joel M. Brown Vernon Higginbotham Paula B. Mike Harry Sugarman all of us who were by litigating issues LeRoy Burchinal Anita Hirsh Sandra Morrill-Esparza Odessa E. Sutton honored to serve like family sepa- Evelyn K. Burton Betty J. Hochstrasser Dorothy J. Mosher Jayne Sword with him,” Levin David Wang ration, the rights Miriam B. Butterworth William Hollander Eva E. Moss Beatrice Tannenbaum said. “David was of asylum seekers, Mary M. Caldwell Pauline L. Homerberg Wilma Mottin Jack Tenner one of the nicest, most support- local policing and immigration, Bernard I. Castell Helen S. Horn Richard T. Murgatroyd Arline Thompson ive, and most genuine human and guest worker rights. Salvatore H. Catalano Christopher C. Hough Raymond Murov Lillian Thompson beings I’ve ever known. What he “He was that rare individual Samuel Charache Gretchen E. Hull Anne Nevaldine David B. Tischler added to the SPLC before, during who combined brilliance, com- Darrell D. Coffey Robert D. Hurt Paul Normart Sylvia Troy and after his service on the board passion, empathy and humor, Janet S. Colville William Hyduchak Judy O’Brien Evelyn S. Turner is truly beyond description. His and used those gifts to promote Dorothy W. Cousineau Cledith M. Jennings Lisa T. Painter Arline S. Tyler memory will remain with me for racial, economic and social jus- Sue M. Crane Anne H. Johnson Caroline W. Palmer Marjory K. Vickery Jacqueline N. Johnson Ouida H. Parham Julius Waber the rest of my life.” tice,” said SPLC Board Member Dorothy E. Davis Fiona Davis Louise Johnston Regina Pearlmutter Doris A. Waddell Marsha Levick. “The stars shine a Henry F. Davis Amy P. Jones Norval L. Pielstick Diane T. Walker Gifted as well as committed little less bright with his passing. “ Jeanne Day Harry M. Kalish Winnifred P. Pierce Lester D. Wallace Wang passed away on Feb. 28 Laura Germino, a co-found- Judy A. Dorer Ruth Kalish Albert Pinter Minnie K. Weinstein at his Naples, Florida, resi- er of the Coalition of Immokalee Anne C. Dorsey Nancy P. Kelly Vera L. Pitts Kathryn L. Welsh dence. He is survived by his Workers, met Wang in 2003, when Robert L. Doty Anne Kennard Anne L. Pope Yolanda T. Wesely wife, Cecile. A native of Beijing, he offered advice for the group. Beryl A. Draper Charles J. Klein Joanne E. Powers Sandra L. White China, he came to the United “He had this sort of truly re- Lawrence Duga Phyllis P. Koffler Michael E. Preston Marianne Wilkening States with his family after naissance view of the world, and Lelah Dushkin Alva J. Lane Edith S. Quevedo Marjean Willett World War II. He was gifted as he also was someone who saw Maxine S. Ellend Eugene Laumann William Rabinowitz James M. Winfield well as committed, receiving his what we were doing when a lot Leonard B. Erlanger Jean Leedham V Sidney Raines Eleanor T. Woodroffe undergraduate degree in me- of people had not yet recognized Eleanor W. Fernald Bertha Levitt Jack Rapaport Leslie W. Wright chanical engineering at George us,” she said. Jerome Fishman Jennie J. Levy Rita Redd Nancy A. Yeager Washington University at the May we all take to heart the Michele M. Fluck Elisabeth S. Lewin Mary J. Resnik George J. Yoxall Edward M. Lewis Violet S. Richman Victor Zelig age of 15, and his graduate de- simple motto that Wang lived Ashby Foote Jesse A. Francis Claire Cox Lowenthal Abraham Ringel Dorothy N. Ziman gree in that field from Georgia each and every day: “Non nobis Stanley Freeny Sara Bement Luongo Edward E. Roberts Stanley Zimmering Tech at just 16. Wang worked as solum” — “not for ourselves alone.”

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Confronting history to move forward: Confederate symbols Advocates work to rename schools perpetuate white supremacy

From Page 3 murders of Black people by po- name change separately. Keith, From Page 3 The Georgia Legislature’s lice and calls for the removal of who is white, voted against each embrace of the monument only School – said: “History is not Confederate symbols. one. Board President Clare Weil, Ku Klux Klan and its violent re- deepens the hurtful impact. “If here for us to like it or dislike The women were in communi- who is also white, voted against sponse to desegregation efforts Joe Blow wants to put a statue of it. It is here for us to learn from cation with Southerners on New changing the name of Lanier, her in the 20th century. In 1915, the Robert E. Lee in his front yard or it. And I heard you and most of Ground (SONG), an advocacy alma mater. location of what is now known as on his farm, I think that’s great,” you are offended by it. … But group of which they are all “I’m excited and look forward Stone Mountain Park is where 15 Richard Rose, Atlanta NAACP it’s a good thing to be offended. affiliated, and Montgomery Bail for more changes to come through Klansmen set up an altar, opened president, told the SPLC in Because that means that we will Out as the organizations helped Montgomery,” said Stone, a 2014 a Bible and burned a 16-foot cross 2018. “I mean, this is America; never repeat it. … It’s not your secure the release of the people Lee graduate. “We’re not making during a ceremony that marked a he ought to be able to do that. history, it’s all of our history.” charged with the statue’s removal. the movement about us; it’s about renaissance for the KKK. But the state of Georgia should Blair, a 2009 Lee graduate, Blair, Johnson, Vinson and the community.” What’s more, Klan money not be doing that, the state of quickly stood up, demanding to Stone – who had all met one While all four women cele- helped fund the Stone Mountain Alabama, the state of Virginia. know why Keith hadn’t taught another over the last couple brate the victory, they know it’s monument, and the first of Cities and counties should not her the truth about Lee when only the first step in a movement she was in Keith’s classroom. to remove Confederate symbols Then, Keith shouted, “All across the city. They hope their lives matter!” ‘We’re not making courage will inspire others. In response, several people in the audience yelled, “Black lives the movement A new beginning matter” and left the meeting. Exactly how the schools will be “While we claim to be a democ- about us, it’s about renamed is an open question. EHRHARDT AP IMAGES/RAINIER racy with equal justice for all, we the community.’ Three years ago, the state’s pre- haven’t been,” Vinson, 31, told the dominantly white Legislature SPLC. “Facing our history means passed the Alabama Memorial facing the fact that we haven’t Preservation Act of 2017 – a treated everyone with equity.” of years through shared pro- law requiring a city to be fined fessional circles – then joined $25,000 should a historical mon- A movement is born forces to build their campaign. ument be moved or modified if Earlier, school board member The women galvanized wide it’s been in place over 40 years. Jannah Bailey began the meeting support with Lee high alum- As of press time in late August, with a prayer evoking the words ni and local members of SONG. it remains unclear whether the of former First Lady Michelle Through thoughtful leader- board will have to pay such fines. At least seven states have passed laws in recent years to limit or prevent local gov- Obama, which fittingly described ship and grassroots organizing, Nevertheless, they are seeking ernments from taking down monuments – even as the national cry for the removal of the women’s movement: “[H]is- they also got the backing of cur- input on how to best select new Confederate symbols in public spaces continues to grow louder. tory has shown us that courage rent students. Within a week, names for the schools. can be contagious, and hope can the campaign was in full swing “We need a new beginning,” its three head sculptors was a be promoting white supremacy take on a life of its own.” thanks to social media, word of said Johnson, a 2003 Lee grad- Klansman, as was the owner of and racism.” The effort to rename the mouth and outreach to key com- uate. “That’s a big part of this the mountain when the project As for how the massive carv- schools began in June after four munity leaders. movement – to face the lega- was first undertaken. Work did ing might be removed, it may be people removed a statue of Lee The school board – comprised cy of white supremacy. It has not begin on the carving until as simple as allowing nature to from Lee high amid national of four Black women and three to be confronted in order to 1923, long after the Civil War end- take its course. demonstrations following the white women – voted on each move forward.” ed, and required three attempts “We should allow growth to and almost 50 years to complete. also overtake the sculpture’s The final effort was launched in many clefts and crinkles as they 1964 as a backlash to Brown v. naturally collect organic mate- The State of Women’s Suffrage Board of Education and the civil rial and allow moss and lichen rights movement. to obscure its details,” Atlanta- From Page 1 Formerly incarcerated Black newly enfranchised people from Even as support for the re- based urban designer Ryan women have an unemployment voting because of legal financial moval of the monument grows, a Gravel wrote in The Guardian Although a significant num- rate of 43.6%, putting them at an obligations that they cannot af- large hurdle remains as Georgia with historian Scott Morris. ber of states have ratified the economic disadvantage against ford to pay. law currently protects it. As “We should blast it with soil to ERA, almost none in the Deep formerly incarcerated Black An SPLC federal lawsuit part of a 2001 compromise that encourage such growth and con- South have done so. Even to men (35.2%), formerly incar- seeks to strike down Florida retired a state flag that promi- sider this new camouflage as a this day, women face voter ID cerated white women (23.2%), SB 7066 because it violates the nently featured the Confederate deliberate creative act, trans- laws that penalize them when and formerly incarcerated U.S. Constitution, which guar- battle flag, lawmakers adopted a forming the sculpture into a they do not legally change their white men (18.4%), according to antees equal protection under statute that singles out the carv- memorial to the end of the war – names upon marriage or di- a report from the Prison Policy the law and freedom from poll ing for preservation. not to the traitors who led it.” vorce. What’s more, restrictions Initiative, a nonprofit that con- taxes and excessive fines. A tre- on early and no-excuse absentee ducts research on the harm of mendous victory was secured in voting create additional hur- mass incarceration. district court that allowed peo- dles for women juggling work Even before they are incar- ple to vote even though they lack Inclusive education and family obligations that still cerated, women who go to prison the funds to pay off their legal fi- overwhelmingly fall upon them. earn less than men who go to nancial obligations. during health pandemic Another obstacle is the prison, and less than nonincar- But Florida officials have ap- growing impact of felon disen- cerated women of the same age pealed that decision, putting the From Page 5 we created a Black Lives Matter franchisement laws over the and race. voting rights of thousands of 2020 Learning Guide, which can last several years. Added to this In November 2018, Florida people in limbo as the November and centering BIPOC (Black, be found online at https://ccpcs. is the imposition of legal finan- voters overwhelmingly ap- elections draw closer. Indigenous and People of Color) libguides.com/blm. cial obligations as a prerequisite proved Amendment 4 to restore The litigation also states that intellect. It is detrimental and It is so important for educa- to voting. In other words, they the vote to 1.4 million of their the new law violates the consti- crippling for students to never tors to interrogate themselves must pay court costs, fees and fellow residents with previ- tutional prohibition of cruel and see themselves included in the and their practice – constantly. other obligations before voting. ous felony convictions. It was unusual punishment. curriculum and for white teach- Continual reflection is needed the largest single expansion of For women, the fight to vote ers and students to perpetuate and required to be an effective Disparate impact voting rights since the Voting is not just about casting a bal- ignorance around their lack of human being and educator. As far on Black women Rights Act. lot. Our vote represents a real knowledge of BIPOC intellectu- as family resources, we have had This onerous financial burden But that victory was quick- opportunity to influence the al creation and property. fundraisers or donated gift cards on women who have been in- ly undermined when Florida policies that affect – and in some As a library team (Chip Chase, to help family members in need carcerated is effectively a poll lawmakers enacted a new law, ways hinder – the ultimate at- director of library services; myself, of supplies and/or food, and the tax that disparately impacts Florida SB 7066, that prevent- tainment of political, social and high school librarian; and Carlos school has provided meal pickup Black women. ed hundreds of thousands of economic parity with men. Duque, lower school librarian), continuously since March.