Southern Poverty Law Center vs. Tea Party

The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) and the Tea Party movement are involved in a legal dispute where SPLC classified some Tea Party groups as extremist, which the movement disputes, claiming it harms their reputation. SPLC is a nonprofit that tracks hate groups and promotes social justice, while the Tea Party is a political movement advocating for limited government and fiscal conservatism. The case centers on free speech and the accuracy of SPLC's labels—whether the SPLC’s descriptions are protected opinion or harmful misinformation. It highlights tensions over how groups are labeled and the impact on public perception.