Black Lives Matter co-founder, Patrisse Cullors says she is triggered by a document mandating charity organizations to disclose their finances and activities.
According to her, such demands for transparency endanger the lives of activists.
She stated that activists experience trauma that could be exacerbated and their lives put at risk when charities under their control are required to disclose publicly what they did with their tax-deductible donations.
Cullors whose tenure as head of BLM Global Network Foundation ended in controversy in May 2021 over the purchase of a $6 million Los Angeles mansion stated this at a Vashon Center for the Arts event last Friday in Washington.
The 38-year-old was referring to the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 990 used for gathering information about tax-exempt organizations, educating organizations about tax law requirements and promoting compliance.
She said that the IRS Form 990 was “deeply unsafe”, adding that she gets triggered whenever she hears the mention of the form.
“It is such a trip now to hear the term ‘990’.
“I’m, like, ugh. It’s, like, triggering,” she said.
The University of California, Los Angeles-trained activist said she did not know about IRS Form 990 until some states, including California, ordered BLM to cease raising funds until it disclosed what it did with the $90 million it raised in 2020.
“This doesn’t seem safe for us, this 990 structure — this nonprofit system structure.
“This is, like, deeply unsafe. This is being literally weaponized against us, against the people we work with,” she said.
Cullors stated that many other activists have voiced their concerns to her that reporters might start snooping around for copies of their IRS Form 990 which the reporters could make public, as charities are required by law to disclose such to the public upon request.
“People’s morale in an organization is so important. But if their organization and the people in it are being attacked and scrutinized at everything they do, that leads to deep burnout. that leads to deep, like, resistance and trauma,” she stated.
However, some Americans on Twitter were not impressed by her explanation, insisting that the need for transparency trumped any other consideration.
See reactions below:
How is everything always “deeply unsafe” when it goes against them 🙄🙄🙄
— J S (@JS69) April 13, 2022
Well, yeah, I would be pretty triggered by that too if I was stealing that much money from a "charity"
— DependableDan (@dependabledan1) April 13, 2022
"Triggering… Trauma… Weaponized." If they want to be a non-profit, those are the rules in order for the public to make sure that money donated is not misappropriated. 990 is not a weapon, it's a safeguard.
— Are you sure about that opinion? (@FACTSandDATA100) April 13, 2022
And there in lies the truth. This isn’t a non-profit to them it’s a way to funnel cash into their accounts.
— Mister Eerie (@Psychogrotesque) April 13, 2022
She did a great job of using all of her buzz words. Triggering, weaponize etc. I am sure open and honest are also quite triggering. She just wants to keep the money with no oversight. Honestly.
— rob berg (@robberg15) April 13, 2022
Dudes, she’s on to something. I’m doing from now on. I’m triggered that I must pay for my Mercedes. The bank is weaponized their mortgage payment demands. The bar wants money for my bourbon! That’s a danger to me!!
— Chris Corp (@CorpChris_) April 13, 2022
All "charities" are subsidized by tax laws.
There is a legitimate concern that this gives government too much control over their operations by potentially withdrawing tax exempt status. But disclosure of spending is a minimal requirement for these tax subsidies.
— John Nevelten (@NeveltenJohn) April 13, 2022
of course. the fox considers any protection of the chicken coop unsafe.
— Javier Tamargo (@julianpaz2019) April 13, 2022
It is quite funny. Maybe not if you donated money.
— FTHK (@badissup) April 13, 2022
Lol I love that she's trying to emote her way out of her legal responsibilities
— Senjii (@senjii2022) April 13, 2022
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