We’re been posting clips for months but this is the first ‘rough cut’ look at a real sequence from the documentary tentatively titled “Pigford Blues”. I’ll say it again; it’s a rough cut.
But this glimpse does answer some questions about Dr. John Boyd.
In 2009, attorney Rose Sanders – who represented Shirley Sherrod – said this about “Dr.” John Boyd,…
Less than two years ago, I attended meetings by John Boyd where he and his attorneys were soliciting contracts from hundreds of eligible and ineligible claimants before the Pigford II legislation was passed in Congress. These contracts obligated citizens to pay 1/3 of their recovery to John Boyd’s attorneys plus expenses. Expenses had to be paid even if the claimant was unsuccessful. I objected to these outrageous contracts. Boyd’s claim that his April 28th protest is inspired by his concern for Black Farmers must be questioned.
That’s a serious charge Ms. Sanders is making and shows a clear example of black people being taken advantage of by Boyd and the lawyers he was working with.
I spoke to Ms. Sanders last week to see if she still stood by this and she said of Boyd and the lawyers, “Well, it’s not illegal.”
Why was Ms. Sanders so clear about Boyd’s wrongdoing two years ago yet she makes excuses for him today? I think the answer is really tragic – she’s part of a move to circle the wagons now that people like Andrew Breitbart and I are looking into Pigford. This suspicion does nothing to help the real farmers and does everything to help protect men like John Boyd.