A well-established civil rights organization is now facing an indictment from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Washington, D.C. —  U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) officials announced on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 that a grand jury returned an indictment against the Southern Poverty Law Center, a nonprofit who has fought white supremacy and other forms of injustice for more than half a century. 

In response, Darra Gordon, CEO of Family Equality shared the following statement:

“Civil rights organizations have spent decades working to advance freedoms for people to live, work, and create community without the fear of hate and discrimination. The Southern Poverty Law Center has played a monumental role in that work through their history-making lawsuits against white supremist groups, anti-bias education, strengthening voting rights, monitoring activities of hard-right extremist groups, and so much more.

“The news announced by the Department of Justice yesterday was a shocking reminder of their attempt to instill fear and stifle our work. 

“Family Equality stands in solidarity with the Southern Poverty Law Center in its protection of civil rights for all. We condemn the weaponization of the DOJ to attack civil rights nonprofits. Our democracy depends on us speaking out and showing up and that’s exactly what we’ll do.

“The civil rights movement exists because people need us. We will not be silenced or intimidated. That is our resistance.”

Family Equality is the only national nonprofit dedicated to protecting and advancing the freedoms of all LGBTQ+ families through bold advocacy, powerful community building, and transformative education. 

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