Memphis pastor to meet with Trump

A Memphis pastor and advocate for African-American farmers is part of a delegation meeting with President Trump today to discuss a range of issues, from agriculture to prison reform.

Bishop David Allen Hall, pastor of Temple Church of God in Christ, said Monday he wants to ask the president to accept a 2017 appeals court ruling that upheld the claims of some 15,000 black farmers and their heirs who said they were denied crop loans and other assistance based on race.

“It’s been a long struggle,” Hall said, “and it’s time to bring to closure this lawsuit. The courts and Congress have said we were discriminated against as a class, and we should be paid because of that past discrimination.”

Hall said it would cost the federal government about $1.6 billion to settle the suit, which is only a fraction of the $12 billion payout to farmers hurt by tariffs on soybeans.

If the $1.6 billion is awarded, Hall said the Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association he represents would like to see part of it used to strengthen black financial institutions.

“One of the great problems black farmers have is getting enough operating cash and getting money for equipment,” Hall said. “I want the president to be aware of the Black Farmers and Agriculturalists Association’s Black Belt Prosperity Agenda. We want the government’s help in establishing a Black Farmer’s Credit Union. Let’s create our own institutions so we can service our own accounts.”

Other members of the delegation meeting with Trump at the White House will discuss prison reform, education, and legislation. The meeting is set for Tuesday morning.