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Morris Dees

News / National / State

SPLC hires new president, CEO after tumult over cofounder’s firing

The Southern Poverty Law Center has appointed an interim president and CEO as it plans to conduct a nationwide search for a permanent leader. The SPLC’s board of directors voted unanimously to name Karen Baynes-Dunning as the civil rights legal group’s interim president, according to the board’s chair. Her appointment comes after the departures of … Continued
April 3, 2019
Roy Moore speaks to reporters and supporters

Moore says that it is “about time” for the SPLC shakeup

On Friday, Richard Cohen resigned as President from the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) where he has worked for the last 33 years. A week ago Cohen fired SPLC co-founder Morris Dees, for undisclosed accusations of misconduct. Also on Friday, Rhonda Brownstein, SPLC’s legal director, also resigned. Richard Cohen and the SPLC despised former Chief … Continued
March 25, 2019

Richard Cohen resigns from the Southern Poverty Law Center

The President of the Montgomery based Southern Poverty Law Center, Richard Cohen, announced that he is resigning amidst a growing scandal and allegations surrounding the nonprofit group. Cohen has been with the group since 1986. The LA Times obtained an email to staff from Cohen in which he announced: “Whatever problems exist at the SPLC … Continued
March 23, 2019

SPLC fires founder Morris Dees; internal emails highlight issues with harassment, discrimination

The Southern Poverty Law Center on Thursday announced that it had fired Morris Dees, the center’s co-founder and long-time public face of the civil rights organization, amid undisclosed allegations that Dees failed to meet the standards of the SPLC. A statement sent by SPLC president Richard Cohen alluded to issues within the organization that made … Continued
March 15, 2019

Southern Poverty Law Center to sue “internet hate group” who “harassed Jewish family”

Sam Mattison Alabama Political Reporter Southern Poverty Law Center Co-Founder and Chief Trial Counsel Morris Dees said on Wednesday, March 22, that the organization is filing a lawsuit in April against a hate group. Dees said this at a speech he gave at Troy University’s main campus in Troy, Alabama, at their annual Journalism Symposium. … Continued
March 23, 2017