Southern Poverty Law Center

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) was founded in 1971 by civil rights lawyers committed to protecting and enforcing the legal victories of the civil rights movement. In the decades since, SPLC has emerged as a leading champion of the rights of marginalized groups, including children, women, people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, justice-involved individuals, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. In addition to winning landmark legal cases for these groups, SPLC operates the Civil Rights Memorial and the Intelligence Project, which promotes tolerance and equity through free educational materials.

These legal and educational pursuits are paired with SPLC's commitment to eradicating hate and extremism. The organization's Hate Map locates and monitors extremist hate groups across the United States. Through this multi-faceted approach, SPLC works toward the day when the ideals of justice, tolerance, and equal opportunity are achieved.