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Friend, In the early days of the SPLC, young lawyers in the Deep South employed a pioneering legal strategy of suing hate groups in civil court for murders and other violent acts committed by their members. And we won. We successfully dismantled some of the country’s most notorious hate groups and stamped out remnants of Jim Crow segregation. But we didn’t do it alone — we mailed a letter asking for support. The first time that SPLC co-founder Joe Levin checked the mailbox, he was in disbelief. He was so touched, not just by the outpouring of donations, but by the notes that people sent, the confidence they had in our vision and the hope that they shared. By 1989, the SPLC dedicated the Civil Rights Memorial in Montgomery, Alabama, which honors 40 martyrs who lost their lives in the struggle for freedom during the civil rights movement. Today, it draws thousands of visitors from across the country and world each year. We’re proud to have decades of working towards justice for all under our belt, and you should be proud too. As a dedicated supporter of our work, you’re a crucial part of a half-century-long movement for racial justice, equity and a world where all can thrive. The next 50 years hold incredible potential, and we’re ready to get to work. Here’s the game plan: Protecting voting rights and civic engagement We’re fighting for governments and institutions that are responsive to the needs, hopes and futures of all by increasing voter turnout, challenging voter suppression measures and ensuring representational diversity. Decriminalizing and decarcerating Black and Brown people The SPLC seeks to reduce incarceration by transforming the education system, criminal legal system and immigrant detention system with anti-racist, equitable, humane and life-affirming solutions. Dismantling white nationalism and protecting democracy The SPLC is relegating white supremacy out of the mainstream, weakening its impact on American democracy and preventing violent harm in communities often targeted because of their race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity. Eradicating Poverty To eradicate poverty, which is intertwined with race in America, the SPLC is challenging deeply entrenched systems to ensure equitable access to public services and advocating for the right to housing, education, health care and economic opportunity. Can we count on you to ensure this important work continues for the next 50 years?
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