V.I. Delegate Donna Christian-Christensen has decried a U.S. Agriculture Department report outlining discriminatory acts against Virgin Islands farmers.
“Portions of a USDA report detailing discriminatory acts against Virgin Islands farmers seeking services from the U.S. Department Agriculture were read to me for the first time (Thursday) and I am outraged by the findings," she said in a statement from her office.
"If these allegations of denial of housing and other USDA services are true, they are contemptible, and will not be tolerated."
Christensen said she will join V.I. farmers in "taking this matter directly to the secretary of Agriculture."
She added, "It is a shame that in 1999 American citizens are still being treated as though they were second class. These allegations reflect a flagrant disrespect for people who were just trying to obtain adequate housing.”
