{"id":13334,"date":"2023-06-21T13:08:01","date_gmt":"2023-06-21T13:08:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lawyersforcivilrights.org\/?p=13334"},"modified":"2023-06-21T13:08:05","modified_gmt":"2023-06-21T13:08:05","slug":"lawsuit-to-enforce-civil-rights-laws-in-boston","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lawyersforcivilrights.org\/our-impact\/economic-justice\/lawsuit-to-enforce-civil-rights-laws-in-boston\/","title":{"rendered":"Lawsuit to Enforce Civil Rights Laws in Boston"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Federal Lawsuit Filed Against Biden Administration For Failure To Enforce Civil Rights Laws Protecting Minority-Owned Businesses <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Department of Justice Refuses to Investigate Boston\u2019s Exclusionary Public Contracting System<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA), the Greater Boston Latino Network (GBLN), and Amplify Latinx, represented by Lawyers for Civil Rights (LCR), filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Justice (DOJ) after it failed to investigate allegations that the City of Boston systematically excludes Black- and Latinx-owned businesses from the City\u2019s public contracting. The groups originally called for a federal\u00a0investigation<\/a>\u00a0in 2021, citing evidence of a closed contracting system where fewer than 2 percent of the City\u2019s contracting dollars are awarded to minority-owned businesses.\u00a0\u00a0After months of delay, DOJ claimed it did not have jurisdiction and refused to investigate.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lawsuit underscores the vital role that federal agencies play in investigating civil rights complaints, as federal complaints are often the only avenue for victims of discrimination to vindicate their rights. The Biden Administration\u2019s lackluster response is deeply problematic as federal agencies cannot shirk their legal responsibilities to investigate civil rights complaints on the pretext of lacking jurisdiction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBECMA is committed to advocating for Black-owned businesses to ensure equitable economic opportunity and inclusive growth for Black communities across Massachusetts,\u201d said Nicole Obi, President and CEO at the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts<\/strong>. \u201cThat includes demanding that an institution in place to combat injustice follows through with its obligation to investigate discriminatory policies and practices. We urge the DOJ to stand up for the minority-owned businesses who have been systematically denied access to contracting opportunities with the City of Boston.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMinority-owned businesses are growing exponentially and contribute greatly to our economy. It is a disservice to everyone, especially Boston\u2019s residents, to underutilize Black- and Latinx-owned businesses,\u201d said Beatriz Abascal of the Greater Boston Latino Network<\/strong>. \u201cGBLN will continue to advocate for equitable opportunities for small businesses and work to lift Latinx families out of poverty.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCommunities of color depend on the Department of Justice to address and eradicate discrimination,\u201d says Eneida Roman, Executive Director of Amplify Latinx<\/strong>. \u201cThe agency\u2019s inaction unfortunately gives the City of Boston \u2013 and every other city and town receiving federal funds \u2013 the green light to continue blocking qualified minority-owned businesses from equal contracting opportunity.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The groups filed a complaint<\/a> with DOJ in 2021, alleging violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits federal fund recipients from practices that have an unjustified disparate impact on communities of color.  The complaint against the City of Boston alleged deliberate and ongoing discrimination against Black- and Latinx-owned businesses, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n