The Marxist millionaire cofounder of the Black Lives Matter movement broke down on Friday when discussing tax forms her organization is required to disclose about its finances.
"It is such a trip now to hear the term '990,'" Patrisse Cullors said at a speaking engagement in Washington state, referring to the IRS form that discloses charities' finances. "I'm, like, ugh. It's, like, triggering." Cullors, who purchased millions of dollars' worth in real estate from her perch as BLM's executive director, also said that she "did not know what 990s were" until recently and felt "deeply unsafe" having to fill one out for the nonprofit.
The event was first reported by the Washington Examiner's Andrew Kerr, who in January also reported how BLM has no apparent leader after Cullors's resignation in May 2021 and how the group still won't say who is responsible for overseeing $60 million in funds.
Cullors: "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." pic.twitter.com/xQnCY4S2pw
— Andrew Kerr (@AndrewKerrNC) April 13, 2022
Black Lives Matter raised more than $90 million in 2020. Its finances, including Cullors's purchase of four homes for $3.2 million in the same year, became public following its 990 disclosures in 2021. Cullors stepped down from her position as executive director shortly afterward.
Black Lives Matter has also faced criticism for its exorbitant spending, including its purchase of a $6 million mansion in Los Angeles.
"This is being literally weaponized against us, against the people we work with," Cullors said on Friday of the disclosures.