BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors said she is triggered when she hears about charity transparency laws

Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors, 38, who along with fellow BLM leaders allegedly used $6million in donations to buy a 6,500-square-foot mansion, said she feels triggered when she hears about federal charity transparency laws.

Cullors was being interviewed by activist Nikkita Oliver, 36, at at an event at the Vashon Performing Arts Center, in Vashon, Washington, to discuss her new book An Abolitionist’s Handbook.

‘It is such a trip now to hear the term 990. I’m, like, ugh. It’s, like, triggering,’ she said at an event at the on Friday.

Cullors was responding to a question about accountability that mentioned IRS Tax Form 990, which charities are required to file annually so the public can view what they do with their donated finances.  

‘I actually did not know what 990s were before all of this happened,’ Cullors said, ‘The accountant handled that.’   

New York Magazine used BLM’s 990s to expose the organization’s 2020 mansion purchase in a report published earlier this month.

Her comments come as the foundation continues to face federal scrutiny for the alleged misuse of donated funds – and comes on the heels of widespread criticism for Cullors, who resigned last May in the wake of revelations she had spent millions on a slew of lavish homes. 

Documents and internal communications reportedly reveal the luxury property was handled in ways that ‘blur boundaries’ between charitable use and those that would benefit some of the organization’s leaders, Cullors among them.

Cullors shared video in June of her enjoying a ritzy brunch outside the estate with fellow officials, co-founder Alicia Garza and LA faction founder Melina Abdullah, who have both since left the organization. 

BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors came under fire last year for a slew of high-profile property purchases. She resigned after facing backlash from critics and supporters

Speaking at the Vashon Center for Arts, Cullors called federal non-profit transparency laws ‘triggering,’ ‘deeply unsafe,’ and ‘weapons’ that lead to ‘deep burnout and trauma’

An April report from New York Magazine used federal non-profit transparency documents – 990s – to expose BLM’s secretive purchase of a $6 million California mansion

BLM leaders (from left) Patrisse Cullors and Alicia Garza, and LA faction founder Melina Abdullah, wanted to keep the mansion secret, but still filmed a video on its patio (pictured)

Speaking from the stage at the Vashon Center, Cullors expounded upon what she sees as the dangers of 990s and what Oliver called ‘non-profit industrial complex.’

‘This doesn’t seem safe for us, this 990 structure – this nonprofit system structure,’ Cullors said. 

‘This is, like, deeply unsafe. This is being literally weaponized against us, against the people we work with.’ 

‘If the organization and the people in it are getting attacked, and scrutinized for everything they do,’ Cullors explained.

‘That leads to deep burnout, that leads to deep resistance and trauma.’ 

News of the 2020 purchase was first reported on April 4, as BLM allegedly hoped to keep the house’s existence a secret – despite three of its former leaders reportedly filming a series of videos dining and drinking Champagne outside the estate last spring. 

It’s unclear exactly where the opulent property is located because it is hidden behind an LLC purchase. 

But according to New York Magazine, it boasts more than a half-dozen bedrooms and bathrooms, multiple fireplaces, a soundstage, a pool and bungalow and parking for more than 20 cars. 

The Southern California mansion was allegedly purchased using funds donated to BLM

At 6,500-square feet, the mansion boasts more than half-dozen bedrooms and bathrooms, multiple fireplaces, a soundstage, a pool and bungalow, and parking for more than 20 cars.

A BLM memo refers to the property as a ‘safehouse’ for leaders whose safety has been threatened.

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