The Hollywood Foreign Press Association issued a statement following an e-mail sent by the former president calling the Black Lives Matter organization a “hate movement.”
The LA Times published an article on Monday setting out the email, which was allegedly sent on Sunday. According to the Times, former HFPA president and current member Phil Berk sent a message to HFPA members quoting an article calling the Black Lives Matter organization a “racist hate movement” and its co-founder, Patrisse Cullors, singled out as a “self-proclaimed Marxist.” Several HFPA members objected to the email.
In response to the Times article and Berk’s email, the HFPA board sent Variety the following statement: “Since its inception, the HFPA has dedicated itself to bridging cultural ties and creating further understanding of different backgrounds through film and TV. The views expressed in the article by Mr. Birch Distributed is by the author of the article and does not reflect the views and values of the HFPA in any way. The HFPA condemns all forms of racism, discrimination and hate speech and finds such language and content unacceptable. ”
In addition, a source close to the HFPA Variety that the board discusses the discussion of action against Berk and will continue to discuss it in future meetings. Representatives for Berk did not want Variety‘s request for comment on the matter.
Berk’s email comes just under two months after the controversy over the diversity of HFPA membership, after it came to light that the group had not included any black members for more than two decades. The HFPA also came under fire for paying large sums to members to serve on committees and accepting exuberant junket trips. The revelation led to a spate of setbacks aimed at the organization’s Golden Globes awards show. The HFPA has since committed to adding at least 13 black members to its ranks.