The former president of the Hollywood Foreign President Association (HFPA) compared Black Lives Matter to a hate group and criticized BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors in an email on Sunday, according to The Los Angeles Times.

Phil Berk shared a post in the email calling the organization a “racist hate movement” and called Cullors a “the self-proclaimed ‘trained Marxist.’  

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“The house is down the road from one of the homes involved in the Manson murders, which seems only appropriate since Manson wanted to start a race war,” the article in the email stated. “And Black Lives Matter is carrying on Manson’s work.”

The HFPA condemned Berk’s email, saying in a statement to the LA Times:  

Since its inception, the HFPA has dedicated itself to bridging cultural connections and creating further understanding of different backgrounds through film and TV. The views expressed in the article circulated by Mr. Berk are those of the author of the article and do not — in any way shape or form – reflect the views and values of the HFPA. The HFPA condemns all forms of racism, discrimination and hate speech and finds such language and content unacceptable.

The Hollywood Foreign Press, which is the body that decides nominations and winner of the Golden Globes, was criticized recently for lacking any Black members.  

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The 88-year-old served as the head of the HFPA for eight terms.  

In 2018, Berk was accused by actor Brendan Fraser of sexually assaulting him in 2003 at a luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel.