Saturday, February 13, 2010

Justice For Black Farmers: PRESIDENT'S CALL FOR JOBS AND JUSTICE FUELS RALLIES BY NATIONAL BLACK FARMERS ASSOCIATION

 John Boyd Speaking With Alabama Gubernatorial Candidate Artur Davis In Montgomery Alabama, 2/10/2010

PRESIDENT'S CALL FOR JOBS AND JUSTICE FUELS RALLIES BY
NATIONAL BLACK FARMERS ASSOCIATION
REGIONAL GATHERINGS URGE IMMEDIATE ACTION BY
CONGRESS, PRESIDENT

(WASHINGTON, DC) -- The call for jobs and a renewed emphasis on
civil rights in the State of the Union address will echo through upcoming
rallies, according to Dr. John Boyd, president of the National Black
Farmers Association.

In a series of regional events, black farmers will urge Congress and
President Obama to act now on a promised $1.15 billion settlement to
remedy decades of discrimination.

“The nation’s treatment of black farmers is a blight. Empty promises
only make matters worse,” said Dr. Boyd. “It is time for Congress to do
the right thing and compensate discriminated black farmers for the
government’s wrongs against them. It certainly has found the will to
fund far less worthy and much more expensive causes. “

Beginning on February 6 in Little Rock, Arkansas, black farmers and
supporters from some of the most depressed areas of the country will
come together to insist on long promised and long delayed justice. It
was back in 1999 that the government agreed to the largest civil rights
settlement in our history, the Pigford case, due to discriminatory
practices by the USDA.

In his State of the Union address, President Obama observed: "We find
unity in our incredible diversity, drawing on the promise enshrined in our
Constitution: the notion that we are all created equal, that no matter who
you are or what you look like, if you abide by the law you should be
protected by it; that if you adhere to our common values you should be
treated no different than anyone else."

On the other side of the aisle, Governor Bob McDonnell of Virginia
found it easy to agree on the subject of job creation.
"We were encouraged to hear President Obama speak this evening
about the need to create jobs," said McDonnell. "All Americans should 
have the opportunity to find and keep meaningful work, and the dignity
that comes with it."

But for black farmers, the ideals laid out by both President Obama and
Governor McDonnell have been only a dream. Black farmers and
supporters will rally throughout the Southeast culminating in a rally in
front of the US Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC to make
heard the urging of thousands: keep your promise, justice now.

The Rally Schedule Includes:
• Saturday, February 6, 2010: Little Rock, Arkansas (The
Downtown Hilton)

• Monday, February, 8, 2010: Memphis, Tennessee (Handy Park)

• Tuesday, February 9, 2010: Jackson, Missouri (Battlefield Park)

• Wednesday, February 10, 2010: Montgomery, Alabama (in front
of the Capital Building)

• Thursday, February 11, 2010: Columbus, Georgia (The Columbus
Civic Center)

• Friday, February 12, 2010: Columbia, South Carolina (The Clarion
Hotel)

• Saturday, February 13, 2010: Richmond, Virginia (Downtown
Hilton)

• Monday, February 15, 2010: Washington, DC (US Department
of Agriculture - Jefferson Drive side

For more information, please contact Billy Warden (919) 412.0630 or
visit http://nbfarally.com/.

See Also...
A Quest To Be Heard: A Great Article In The Washington Post About John Boyd's Fight For Reparations For Black Farmers...
http://weallbe.blogspot.com/2010/02/quest-to-be-heard-great-article-in.html

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