A Covid-19 Relief Fund Was Only for Black Residents. Then Came the Lawsuits.

The New York Times (NYT) (01/03/2021)
  • In July (2020), Oregon earmarked $62M (4.5%) of the $1.4B in COVID-19 federal relief funds it received specifically for Black residents and businesses.
  • The Oregon Cares Fund was created due to the disproportionate health and economic impact of COVID-19 on Black people.
  • However, $8.8M of the remaining funds are frozen after one Mexican American and two white business owners filed lawsuits, claiming the fund discriminates against them.
  • Oregon relief funds specifically for undocumented immigrants and Asian business owners have not faced lawsuits.