The Clooney Foundation for Justice Gives $1 Million Grant to Help Southern Poverty Law Center Combat Hate Groups

In the wake of the deadly violence at a white nationalist gathering in Charlottesville, Virginia, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is partnering with the Clooney Foundation for Justice to increase the capacity of the SPLC to combat hate groups in the United States.

Through the generous support of George & Amal Clooney, the initiative announced today is made possible by a $1 million grant from the Clooney Foundation for Justice.

The Clooney Foundation for Justice was established in 2016 to advance justice in courtrooms, classrooms and communities around the world. It was co-founded by George and Amal Clooney, who serve as the foundation's presidents.

The SPLC is the premier U.S. nonprofit organization monitoring the activities of domestic hate groups and other extremists. It currently tracks more than 1,600 extremist groups operating across the country, and has used litigation to win crushing court judgments against 10 major white supremacist organizations and 50 individuals who led them or participated in violent acts.

"We are proud to support the Southern Poverty Law Center in its efforts to prevent violent extremism in the United States. What happened in Charlottesville, and what is happening in communities across our country, demands our collective engagement to stand up to hate," said George and Amal Clooney.

“Like George and Amal Clooney, we were shocked by the size, ugliness, and ferocity of the white supremacist gathering in Charlottesville,” said SPLC President Richard Cohen. “It was a reflection of just how much Trump’s incendiary campaign and presidency has energized the radical right. We are deeply grateful to the Clooney Foundation for standing with us at this critical moment in our country’s fight against hate.”

More details about this joint initiative will be announced at a later date.

The Southern Poverty Law Center, based in Alabama with offices in Florida, Georgia, Louisiana and Mississippi, is a nonprofit civil rights organization dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry, and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of society. For more information, see www.splcenter.org.

The Clooney Foundation for Justice was established in late 2016 by George and Amal Clooney to advance justice in courtrooms, communities, and classrooms around the world. For more information on the Foundation and its work, please visit www.cfj.org.

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