Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors took to Instagram to address a report from New York Magazine, which laid out the organization purchasing a 6,500-square-foot Southern California mansion for $6 million with funds from the organization.
Cullors called the article “a despicable abuse of a platform that’s intended to provide truthful information to the public.” She also confirmed that BLM bought the property, writing, “The property the reporter addressed was purchased in 2020 as a space where those within the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation (BLMGNF) and broader movement community could work, create content, host meetings and foster creativity.”
Patrisse went on to state, “Although I cannot speak to how BLMGNF uses the property currently as I left the organization last year in May, it was purchased to be a safe space for Black people in the community. The reason it wasn’t announced prior is not nefarious as the headline infers, the property needed repairs and renovation.”
In her statement, Patrisse denied claims that funds were misappropriated while holding a leadership role at BLM. She closed her statement by writing, “I admittedly have not always responded and I know my silence has contributed to doubt. I apologize if it has caused you harm of any kind. But I’m asking you all to understand the enormous pressure and fear that comes with living under the constant threat of white supremacist terror and real threats on my life and those of people I love. But I’m no longer letting fear hold me back from calling out these attacks.”
