Facebook Twitter Email
DECEMBER 19, 2000

A law passed in 1999 may result in a $19 billion discrimination lawsuit against the United States Department of Agriculture being thrown out.

The law would require the Native Americans suing the USDA to show that they have filed a written complaint, says the Justice Department, who is representing the USDA. A lawyer for the farmers, however, says they only had to notify, and not necessarily in writing, that they had a complaint.

About 700 farmers are currently represented in the suit.

Get the Story:
Government lawyer says Indian farmers' case should be thrown out (AP 2/18)

Related Stories:
More farmers wanted for lawsuit (Tribal Law 11/09)
Expansion of farmer lawsuit sought (Tribal Law 11/1)
Indian farmers hold rally (The Talking Circle 10/31)
USDA a 'very racist organization' (Tribal Law 09/13)

Relevant Links:
Native American Farmers Class Action Lawsuit -www.farmerslawyer.com/NA.html
The Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation - www.mhanation.com
TheUnited States Department of Agriculture - www.usda.gov
The Farm Service Agency, USDA - www.fsa.usda.gov/pas/default.asp
Civil Rights, USDA - www.usda.gov/da/cr.html
Guide to USDA Programs for American Indians and Alaska Natives - www.usda.gov/news/pubs/indians/open.htm