Roadmap To Tom Burrell Audio
:45 Prayer Begins
1:05 We are the sons and daughters of those seeking restitution
1:30 We know that you promised our grandparents that one day
1:55 My name is Thomas Burrell…
3:00 This opprotunity that is known as the Black Farmers lawsuit
3:35 Anyone here got paid?
4:40 (Begins discuss of history)
4:50 We're here to talk about money and we shouldn't apologize. It's time black folks got paid
5:40 Two, three, four hundred years ago somone looked up from a cottom field..
6:15 This lawsuit is grounded in the word of God
7:00 I'll give it to your children in 2010 or 2011
7:30 (Explains difference plaintiff and defendants)
9:15 Nobody got a check back in the 50s and 60s
12:00 The government said when they discriminated, they didn't keep a record. Hello!
13:00 The government didn't keep a record and we didn't keep a record
13:15 Every black person who maintained that they were a victim of discrimination, you've got
14:40 They set aside a block of money to pay black folks
15:15 The interesting thing about that money is that Congress didn't put a cap on it
19:45 A consent decree to lawsuit is what a manual is to the computer
20:45 I am the President of BFAA and we advocate
22:15 Is that why you're here today -- because of the money?
23:00 She got that $50,000, but she left the other money on the table
25:05 I've known Shirley Sherod for 30 years.
25:55 Some of you all who farmed might be eligible for (Track B)
26:55 After the checks hit the street, word started to get out
27:50 Anyone here have a tracking number? (A few do)
28:15 Now the lawsuit is re-opened
29:20 Can I assume you want to get paid?
31:05 Now there are close to 100000 folks in the lawsuit
32:30 We voted for you (Obama) but we're gonna sue you for our money
33:15 (Two people in group of 150 or so actually have tracking numbers)
34:20 It's not enough money. Mathematically, you'd need five billion
35:30 We're like a union. We advocate on behalf of our members/
36:20 We have what's called legal standing
37:25 Now there are about 5 other lawsuits on the table
38:55 If you don't have a tracking number, you aren't in this lawsuit. Would you like to be?
39:40 We let the judge know, we have some folks who want to be in this lawsuit
41:40 We represent individuals who don't have a tracking number but want to be in this lawsu
45:20 More women got paid in this lawsuit than men
46:25 Isn't it strange that more women got paid than men?
47:50 If you got paid, you've got the same right to go back again
48:15 This lawsuit, first and foremost, is not a farming lawsuit. It's a discrimination lawsuit.
49:05 The judge has a $50,000 check
49:40 In this lawsuit, let's read what the judge has said the process is
51:45 So far, he hasn't said anything about farming
51:55 He's not going to try and determine if you've farmed. Hello!
54:05 The judge has $50,000 for you, you and you -- here's his first question
53:35 Did you own, lease or attempt to own or lease?
54:45 (Woman says "no")
55:40 The judge says I'm going to give you an assignment
56:15 Look at the four questions like a baseball game
57:30 You have to answer all four questions in the affirmative
58:30 If this lawsuit you can file in four ways…
59:30 I filed personally, my sister filed on behalf of my father
1:01:35 (in military) or incarcerated
1:02:00 Let's try again…
1:02:20 The judge is gonna give you three other shots at it
1:02:54 How does the judge know you tried?
1:03:25 (Congress said if you say you tried to own land -- you did)
1:04:10 Second question - let's go to second base
1:04:40 (Woman says "no")
1:04:55 I don't want to put words in your mouth
1:05:35 The judge says and Congress says if you say you went into the USDA to try and get some
1:05:50 (The night before he died)
1:06:15 (We're in a church -- you're going to have to go home)
1:06:45 I'm just telling you how the program workds
1:08:00 (Woman talks about father farming in the 1960s)
1:09:55 They will pay you because you were discriminated against,not because you farmed
1:10:45 You can talk your way into the lawsuit or talk your way out of it
1:11:45 You get paid for convincing the judge that you were discriminated against
1:14:55 The USDA admitted that they discriminated
1:18:00 (Story of 70 year old man who couldn't read or write -- approved)
1:19:05 (Explains that allegations must be detailed and specific)
1:20:20 We're going to help our members prepare an affidavit
1:20:35 Well, what made it true?
1:21:00 We're going to help you detail your allegation
1:21:55 There is a pretty good chance that if you're filing on behalf….
1:22:30 Since that judge is a thousand miles away, all he has to go on is your word. Hello!
1:24:50 (Similiarry situated white farmer)
1:28:35 Why did the judge deny (a black farmer)? SSWF
1:30:00 (explains how to get the SSWF info by going to deed office)
1:30:45 Your $50,000 will hinge on that more than anything else
1:35:50 (Relevant time period 1981-1996)
1:36:15 Of course we farmed in the 30s and 40s
1:35:45 The issue is not whether you farmed in 1965 but whether you were discriminated again
1:37:25 Did he go to the USDA office between 1981 and 1996? My sister said he did and she go
1:37:40 You have to make your decision, I'm explaining the proccess
1:43:30 (We'll ask you to provide your birth certificate to provide credability)
1:44:20 (Explains how BFAA will help fill our affidavit)
1:48:20 (Question 4)
1:49:55 (Gives example of a specific, detailed answers)
1:52:30 It's not about farming.
1:53:00 (Example of woman claiming to have not been given an application)
1:53:40 (Burrel gives exmaple of woman from Los Angeles going to USDA office, in theory)
1:55:10 (The law says she was supposed to get an application )
1:56:20 (Questions about people being denied for being too old or too young)