For years, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) denied Black farmers loans and other aid easily approved for White farmers. Many Black farming families lost their land and livelihoods as a result. The farmers sued the government for damages and won — but only a fraction of them ever got paid.
- 1. As a Senator, Barack Obama helped to secure a new settlement for the remaining Black farmers, but far right Senate Republicans are committed to keeping the settlement from being paid out, and have repeatedly blocked funding for it over the last year.It’s time for President Obama to bypass the Republican obstruction. The White House can directly address this injustice and pay these farmers what they’re owed out of administrative funds — and Congressional Black Caucus leaders have previously called for such a solution.
- 2. Please join us in calling on President Obama to do right by these farmers, and please ask your friends and family to do the same. It takes just a moment: http://www.colorofchange.org/pigford/?id=1613-492577
