Following the Trump Administration’s indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), the Democracy Alliance issued the following statement:
“The Democracy Alliance stands in full solidarity with the SPLC as it faces a blatantly politicized prosecution by the Trump Administration. This shameful attack on SPLC, one of our nation’s oldest and most respected anti-hate groups, does not come in a vacuum. It’s part of a dangerous pattern, one that every pro-democracy organization should unequivocally condemn.
This indictment is just the latest step in a campaign to intimidate and undermine civil society organizations, especially those who are confronting white supremacist violence, advancing racial justice, and upholding civil rights. It’s part of a broader effort to threaten, silence, and suppress perceived political and ideological opponents. It also sends a dangerous signal of impunity to white supremacists.
We will not stand by silently as a major civil rights organization is targeted. We know that an attack on one of us is a threat to all of us – fundamental democratic freedoms are at stake. If the federal government can turn prosecution into a selective weapon of political repression and intimidation, then no community, organization or individual is truly safe.
We are more committed than ever to our work to support and sustain the vibrant, independent and effective civil society that is so essential to our future. ”