The Southern Poverty Law Center announced on Wednesday that it had laid off more than 60 staff members, a move the left-leaning nonprofit said was necessary to “streamline” its operations and focus more on advancing “racial justice.”

“Internally, we announced the consolidation of certain programs and activities and the elimination of others, resulting in staff reductions,” the SPLC said in a statement. “This was a difficult but necessary decision to focus and align our work with program priorities and goals.”

“We deeply value the contributions of all our staff and their dedication to making the promise of equal justice a reality for all.”

The Southern Poverty Law Center employees union, which lost its chairman and five commissioners in the cutbacks, rallied against the layoffs.

“Is this the action of an organization fighting for racial justice in the Deep South?” the group wrote to X. “How do today's layoffs help us achieve our goals of fighting hate, incarcerating Black and Brown people, protecting our democracy, and ending poverty? The answer is they won't.”

“The SPLC's decision will have a devastating impact on the organization's work to support immigrants seeking justice and its mission to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements, and advance human rights through support for educators.”

The union does not believe the timing of the firings is coincidental.

“We are heartbroken for our union and our colleagues,” the union posted. The union also said the SPLC has nearly $1 billion in reserves, has been accused of “hoarding” donations, and is “cutting its staff by a quarter.”

today, translator The organization, which has nearly $1 billion in reserves and received an F rating from Charity Watch for “hoarding” donations, has cut its staff by a quarter.

— SPLC Union (@SPLCUnion) June 12, 2024

“Management's goals are clear, but they will not win. Our union is strong.”

Austin Shipley is a staff writer for Yellow Hammer News. Follow him at @ShipleyAusten