Benard Simelton
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE President, Alabama State Conference
For inquiries, please contact: March 12, 2013
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Alabama NAACP to "Stand for Justice" with Independent Black Farmers against USDA Discrimination
Press Conference
Tuesday, March 19th 2013 at 10:00am
Kelly Ingram Park, Birmingham, AL 35203
Out-of-State Reporters can join by phone at 866-508-2264 Passcode: 2127510
WHO:
Bernard Simelton, President of the NAACP Alabama State Conference; Michael Stovall, Independent black farmer; Kevin Myles, NAACP Southeast Regional Director; USDA Coalition of Minority Employees; and others
WHAT:
The Alabama State Conference of the NAACP has received several complaints from Black Farmers that they continue to be denied equal treatment by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Black farmer are being denied equal access to farm loans. While this discrimination is well documented, the USDA has not settled thousands of claims.
Many people believe these claims were settled with the Pigford Class lawsuits. This is untrue. There are a group of black farmers in Alabama and other states who were discriminated against when they applied for loans from the USDA. These farmers filed separate from the Pigford group and some have received favorable judgments by USDA. However, the USDA has reneged on the agreement they negotiated and, 10-15 years later, there is still no settlement with USDA.
The Alabama State Conference of the NAACP will join with our Regional Office, the Black Farmers, USDA Coalition of Minority Employees and others to provide proof to the media and the public, that USDA has not lived up to its promise.
WHERE & WHEN:
March 19, 2013 at 10:00 AM
Kelly Ingram Park Birmingham, AL 35203
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