SEATTLE, Wash., February 16, 2022 – Recently, the Washington Examiner reported that the state of Washington informed Black Lives Matter (BLM) they need to immediately cease fundraising due to lack of financial transparency. However, Black Lives Matter refers to 11 separate entities in Washington state registered with the Secretary of State’s Corporations and Charities filing system, the largest of which, Black Lives Matter Alliance, currently has an active 501(c) nonprofit status and has not received closure notice by the state.
Currently Black Lives Matter Alliance represents the movement state-wide and operates as the Washington’s leading BLM organization with support from King County Executives. Since founded as a statewide coalition during the legislative sessions of 2021 they have appeared in over 1,500 news stories, broadcasted to an audience of 167.5 million, and have sent over 40,000 emails to lawmakers, according to their website.
Out of the 11 registered entities using the name Black Lives Matter in Washington, not including those administratively dissolved, four are registered as nonprofits, two of which are of delinquent status, both sharing the same address.
The letter of closure obtained by the Washington Examiner was sent to Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation, Inc., which uses an Arizona address and is not registered in the state of Washington under the Secretary of State’s Corporation and Charities database.
Two entities using the name Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County, on the other hand, are currently delinquent in filing their annual report, which was due January 31, 2022. They have until May 31, 2022 to file their report before the organization will result in administration dissolution and termination of their registration, as stated in a letter sent by the state February 1, 2022.
As of February 15, 2022, Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County’s website, which uses the same address as both delinquent entities is still accepting online donations.
The Lynnwood Times contacted Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s Office to ask what the penalties would be if the entity continued accepting donations after closure, but the AG’s office refrained from commenting stating:
“Our office has a longstanding policy against commenting on ongoing investigations, including confirming or denying their existence, in order to protect their integrity.”
The Washington Examiner reported the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation could face up to $2,000 per donation received until the proper financial documents were filed, however, no evidence supports that the Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County entity faces similar charges.
Attorney Alanna Peterson, of Pacifica Law Group, who represents the Washington Black Lives Matter Alliance clarified with the Lynnwood Times that she was not aware if Black Lives Matter Alliance is affiliated with the entity Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County, nor is aware of its existence or its status.
The Lynnwood Times reached out to Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County to verify if, and when, they plan to file their financial report to avoid a terminated status but haven’t heard back by the publication of this article. Developing story.
ARTICLE UPDATE [4:32 p.m. March 11, 2022]: In the second to the last paragraph made the follow change: “Attorney Alanna Peterson, of Pacifica Law Group, who represents the Washington Black Lives Matter Alliance clarified with the Lynnwood Times that Black Lives Matter Alliance is not affiliated with the entity Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County, nor were they aware of its existence or its status” to “Attorney Alanna Peterson, of Pacifica Law Group, who represents the Washington Black Lives Matter Alliance clarified with the Lynnwood Times that she was not aware if Black Lives Matter Alliance is affiliated with the entity Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County, nor is aware of its existence or its status.”
2 Responses
Ms. Peterson says “Black Lives Matter Alliance is not affiliated with the entity Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County, nor were they aware of its existence or its status.”
blacklivesseattle.org is the Web page for Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County. blacklivesseattle.org links to the BLM Seattle King County Instagram page (24,900 followers) and Official BLM Seattle-King County Twitter page (9,900 followers). Neither of those accounts have posted since June, 2021.
The BLM Seattle King County Instagram page links to blmalliance.org in its bio. The Black Lives Matter Alliance Instagram page (123 followers) most recently posted on Oct. 27, 2021. The Black Lives Matter Alliance Twitter (page) 303 followers) most recently posted on Feb. 8, 2022.
blacklivesseattle.org is still taking donations. Where are those donations going?