- AT&T (NYSE:T) and Verizon (NYSE:VZ) have quit the conservative business lobbying group American Legislative Exchange Council following a controversial July speech from activist David Horowitz, Bloomberg reports.
- AT&T confirmed it quit and "their convention speaker was a key factor in the decision," AT&T told the news service. Verizon also confirmed it was out of the group, which presses for favorable legislation in statehouses nationwide.
- ALEC has distanced itself from Horowitz since the speech, saying he didn't abide by programming rules.
- The Southern Poverty Law Center describes Horowitz as a "driving force of the anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant and anti-black movements."