Black Lives Matter is taking legal action against Soros

Black Lives Matter Movement Files Lawsuit Over Missing Funds

The National Black Lives Matter movement has leveled allegations against a partner organization, claiming that $33.4 million has been improperly withheld. This comes as the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation (BLMGNF) has filed a lawsuit against the Tides Foundation, which is backed by George Soros. The suit accuses Tides of not only demanding the return of funds but also engaging in “deceptive business practices” and “malicious management” regarding BLM’s finances.

The legal action was initiated last year, but it gained traction recently when BLMGNF urged the California Attorney General to look into potential misconduct. Throughout the lawsuit, BLMGNF has pointed out that Tides allegedly spent $6 million in donations—contrary to their agreement to freeze the group’s assets during this legal dispute.

Lawrence Segal, representing BLMGNF, expressed frustration, stating, “My clients are being forced to pay just to reclaim their own money after already collecting everything.” He further criticized Tides for potentially using BLM’s funds to cover their own legal expenses.

“Over $1 million has been drained from my clients’ funds just in legal fees,” Segal claimed. “It seems they’re using charitable contributions to handle their legal costs against us.” This raises questions about how funds are managed and allocated within the Tides Foundation.

BLMGNF’s relationship with Tides began back in 2013, when the movement was still finding its footing and needed a financial sponsor to distribute donations from anonymous sources. The involvement of Tides became especially significant after the influx of donations post-George Floyd’s murder in 2020, when BLM reportedly received around $90 million between 2020 and 2022.

However, the lawsuit suggests Tides is blending funds across various accounts, complicating the financial oversight for organizations like BLMGNF. “They don’t separate the money,” Segal noted. “All of my client’s funds appear to be intermixed in one large account, which isn’t regulated very well.”

The Tides Foundation has previously dismissed the allegations as “entirely false,” asserting they are acting within the intended purpose of the donations. They also suggested that BLMGNF’s lawsuit undermines the original intent of its donors and could jeopardize crucial resources for grassroots movements.

In addition to the ongoing lawsuit, BLMGNF has faced criticism regarding the allocation of received donations. Reports indicate that only about $30 million out of the $90 million raised after Floyd’s death has been disbursed for charitable efforts over the following two years, while around $22 million went towards operational expenses, including salaries and investments.

Patrisse Cullors, a co-founder of BLMGNF, faced scrutiny after it was revealed she had purchased real estate, prompting her resignation shortly thereafter. She insisted that she did not use any BLMGNF donations for the property acquisition.

Now, as the BLMGNF continues to shed light on its financial operations, its former leader’s association with BLMGNF complicates the narrative. Reports also note that Cullors’ brother, Paul, still plays a role in the organization, earning a significant salary as “security director.”

Meanwhile, the Tides Foundation has been scrutinized by congressional committees for its involvement, particularly related to donations fueling protests against Israel on college campuses. In the past year, Republican Rep. Jason Smith has called for the IRS to revoke Tides’s tax-exempt status, citing its role in facilitating contributions to organizations associated with anti-Israel activism.