From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
MONTGOMERY — Morris Dees, the former chief trial council for the Southern Poverty Law Center, has been fired from the organization he co-founded in 1971.
In a statement, Southern Poverty Law Center President Richard Cohen said that the decision had taken effect on Wednesday.
“Effective yesterday, Morris Dees’ employment at the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) was terminated,” Cohen said. “As a civil rights organization, the SPLC is committed to ensuring that the conduct of our staff reflects the mission of the organization and the values we hope to instill in the world. When one of our own fails to meet those standards, no matter his or her role in the organization, we take it seriously and must take appropriate action.
“Today we announced a number of immediate, concrete next steps we’re taking, including bringing in an outside organization to conduct a comprehensive assessment of our internal climate and workplace practices, to ensure that our talented staff is working in the environment that they deserve – one in which all voices are heard and all staff members are respected.
“The SPLC is deeply committed to having a workplace that reflects the values it espouses – truth, justice, equity and inclusion, and we believe the steps we have taken today reaffirm that commitment.”
The Southern Poverty Law Center did not provide any further specifics on Dees’ termination.