AFL President Stephen Miller issued the following statement:
Millions of Americans have suffered deeply as a result of a once-in-a-century pandemic. Lockdowns, closures, and pandemic restrictions have inflicted great financial pain and losses on hardworking citizens. Few industries have been harder hit by lockdowns and restrictions than the restaurant and bar industry. People have seen their life’s work and dreams upended, imperiled, and even destroyed. Yet, as these restaurant owners, operators and workers try to pick up the pieces and rebuild their businesses, they are facing a new and insidious threat: racial discrimination from the government. The decision from the Biden Administration to determine eligibility and priority for restaurant relief funds based upon race is profoundly illegal and morally outrageous. It is an affront to our laws, our Constitution, and our most dearly-held values. Instead of determining eligibility based on need or merit, Americans are being lined up based upon skin color – a core violation of federal civil rights laws, and a betrayal of the civil rights movement. America First Legal will not stand for this. It is why we are suing the USDA over racial exclusions in farm aid, and it’s why we are now urgently suing to ensure all American restaurants and bar owners—regardless of race—have fair and equitable access to restaurant revitalization funds. AFL will not relent in in our fight against discrimination and in defense of fundamental civil rights. We will seek to have this immoral and illegal policy enjoined.
ALF President Stephen Miller further announced:
This lawsuit is being filed as part of an exciting brand new partnership between America First Legal and the Texas Public Policy Foundation. This collaboration will powerfully advance our shared goals of defending American liberty, sovereignty, and security.
