Philip Berk

Credit: Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the governing body overseeing the Golden Globe Awards, has expelled longtime member Philip Berk.

Berk, 88, was expelled after sending an email to his fellow members calling the Black Lives Matter movement a "racist hate movement" and criticizing BLM co-founder Patrisse Cullors for buying a home in Topanga Canyon, California.

The South Africa-born ex-member had been part of the organization for 44 years and once served eight terms as president.

"Effective immediately, Phil Berk is no longer a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association," the HFPA's board said in a statement released Tuesday afternoon, via The Hollywood Reporter.

The Los Angeles Times, who had access to the email chain, published several responses from members who received the email and slammed Berk for sending it.

HFPA's COO, Goeckner, weighed in, writing, "Phil — it is not appropriate to circulate material such as this, which many members and staff find deeply offensive, to all members and staff as though it is a matter of Association business. Please do not circulate this type of material again."