WASHINGTON, D.C. (April 22, 2026) — Independent Sector CEO and President Akilah Watkins released the following statement responding to the federal indictment of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
“Fair oversight is essential to public trust in the charitable sector, but allowing political leaders to target perceived opponents for investigation does nothing but undermine that trust,” said Independent Sector President and CEO Dr. Akilah Watkins. “The incendiary rhetoric used in this indictment reveals its political nature and undermines the credibility of the investigation. We urge policymakers to protect the independence of American civil society and the rights of all nonprofit and philanthropic organizations to speak out and advance their charitable mission without fear of political retaliation.”
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Independent Sector is the national membership organization that connects, strengthens, and advocates for nonprofits and philanthropies. Learn more at independentsector.org.
Media Contact: Chloe Kessock, chloek@independentsector.org, 727-433-2972
