HFPA member Philip Berk ousted after calling BLM a 'hate movement' in an email
Berk was an HFPA member for 44 years and served eight terms as president
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Philip Berk, a former president and longtime member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the organization that governs and votes for the annual Golden Globes, has been ousted from the group's board after sending an email that called Black Lives Matter a "hate movement."
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association board said in an email Tuesday that the 88-year-old is no longer a member of the organization. The decision comes hours after NBC — which telecasts the Globes — condemned Berk’s actions and called for his "immediate expulsion."
The show's producer, Dick Clark Productions, also demanded Berk’s removal.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Berk, an eight-term association president, fell under heavy scrutiny after he sent an email Sunday criticizing Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors.
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The South African-born Berk shared an article that called Black Lives Matter a "racist hate movement" and described Cullors as a "self-proclaimed trained Marxist," according to a report from the Los Angeles Times.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Ex-Hollywood Foreign Press Association president Philip Berk speaks onstage during the 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards nomination announcement. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
The email was sent to HFPA members, staff, and the group’s general counsel and chief operating officer.
Berk had been a member of the organization for more than 40 years.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Shaun Harper, who was hired as a diversity strategist advisor by the HFPA last month, said in a resignation letter that he was initially optimistic when he joined the organization, but he felt compelled to step down after learning about the group's "deep systemic and reputational challenges."
"I no longer have confidence in our ability to collaboratively deliver the transformational change that the industry and people in it whom I deeply respect are demanding of you," said Harper, who is a professor of racial, gender and LGBTQ issues at the University of Southern California's Marshall School of Business.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"My serious, unwavering commitment to the racial and gender equity issues on which I work every day make it impossible for me to continue serving in a consulting capacity with the HFPA," he continued.
In February, the HFPA was criticized for lacking diversity. At the time, the group had 87 members who are journalists, but none are Black, the Times reported.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The organization has said that an "action plan" was under development to admit Black members.
A rep for the HFPA didn't immediately return Fox News' request for comment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.