. . World News – United States – Gov. Brown and State Attorney defended the Oregon Black Residents Relief Fund

The Oregon Cares Fund, which allocates relief money to black companies and families, is now the subject of a lawsuit..

Salem Kham. – Governor Kate Brown and Oregon State Attorney Eileen Rosenblum issued a statement on Thursday, defending a fund created by the state specifically to provide coronavirus relief money to black-owned businesses, black-led nonprofits, black families and individuals..

The Oregon Cares Fund recently became the subject of a lawsuit filed by the lumber firm Great Northern Resources. The lawsuit, filed by attorneys representing the timber company in federal court in Portland on October 29, alleges that the fund is unconstitutional.

“Grants from the fund are only available to individuals and business owners who“ identify themselves as black, ”the lawsuit states.. “This explicit use of race in distributing government funds is unprecedented and blatantly unconstitutional.

Headquartered in John Day, eastern Oregon, the Great Northern describes itself in the lawsuit as a small logging company run by a family that has suffered major economic losses from the epidemic.

Aside from Federal Coronavirus Relief Options in SBA, Oregon has offered – and continues to provide – emergency grants for small businesses regardless of race. However, the Great Northern lawsuit targets the Oregon Cares Fund on the grounds that the company does not match its requirements..

“The pandemic’s damage should qualify the Great North to compete in any government aid program for companies affected by Covid-19. However, the company is not eligible to receive a grant from the fund because its owner is not a black, « the lawsuit states.

Governor Brown and Attorney General Rosenblum Thursday’s statement claim that the lawsuit for Great North is being funded by an « out-of-state activist » – likely referring to controversial legal strategist Edward Bloom, whose Oregonian / OregonLive Reports helped fund the lawsuit.

Bloom is also the brains behind the ongoing litigation against Harvard University for its affirmative action policies, which were dismissed in. s. Court of Appeals this week.

“The state was named in a lawsuit funded by an outside-state activist known for his use of the courts to try to undermine civil rights legislation and public policy. The lawsuit challenges an innovative program set up by the legislature that directs a portion of state CARES law funding to address the disparate impacts of COVID-19 that Black Oregonians face.

“Data shows that Black Oregon residents suffer disproportionate harm from COVID-19. These damages, resulting from long-term systemic inequality, include higher rates of COVID-19 infection and greater risks of adverse health impacts.. Additionally, black-owned businesses are less likely to receive federal aid and shut down faster than other companies..

“In July, the state legislature directed federal CARES Act funding to a range of local communities and industries, including a partnership with the Black leadership across Oregon to support the Oregon Cares Fund. The fund provides narrow, timely, and targeted relief to black-owned businesses, black-led nonprofits, and black families who exhibit financial distress due to COVID-19..

“As a country, we have a duty to help those in need. We must not allow malicious and ideologically motivated lawsuits to derail our efforts to bring important resources to the people of Oregon amid a devastating pandemic.. On behalf of all Oregonians, we intend to actively advocate for this important program.

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Kate Brown, Oregon, Ellen Rosenblum, and Jerry Brown