The SPLC is a legally inclined, Jewish controlled, private interest group. Much like the NAACP, the Urban League and such, the Jewish influence keeps a relatively low profile while protecting their own interest through "advocating the rights" of other so-called minority groups.
How does the SPLC qualify, and in turn publicly label one(s) as a "Hate Group"?
Do they infringe on Constitutional rights of free speech and the bearing of arms and freedom to peacefully assemble?
Did all those 1000+ groups commit an actual crime, or did they merely make known their ideology and it was unfavorable to the SPLC?
Organizations likes the SPLC and the Anti-Defamation League, use their influence to manipulate, and then encourage action by the FBI and the IRS on "Hate Groups" not to their liking.
When President Clinton and Attorney General Janet Reno wanted to restrict federal surveillance to people or groups that have actually committed or were linked to crimes, influential jews wanted to go further:
Hate-Group Surveillance Limits Reviewed
SURVEILLANCE AND INFILTRATION (sounds like J. Edgar Hoover tactics)
Instead of an honest public discussion on the issues where they may differ, groups like the SPLC would rather publicly slander the "Hate Group" and push for criminal charges first.
Keep in mind, the dozens of Black Nationalist and Black Separatist groups, with no criminal history, that these people want surveillance on, and want infiltrated.