New York, January 9 (RHC)-- The Inter-religious Foundation for Community Organization, IFCO -- the parent organization of Pastors for Peace -- is reporting that it is under attack by the U.S. government tax-collection agency, the Internal Revenue Service.

In a news release issued in New York City, the organization said that for the past several years, IFCO has been the victim of political persecution and an aggressive harassment campaign by the IRS. The U.S. government agency is now attempting to strip IFCO of its tax-exempt, non-profit organization status -- known as 501(c)(3).

The Harlem-based organization says it is the first foundation controlled by people of color in the United States, which is now being denied tax-exempt status by the U.S. government.

The religious/political organization has responded to the attack with an Appeal written by their legal advisor to protest the IRS' recommendation to revoke IFCO's tax-exempt status. They say that the U.S. government is using the IRS as a weapon against the group because they have stood firm in organizing the U.S.-Cuba Friendshipment caravans.

The parent organization of Pastors for Peace says it will fight the attacks by the U.S. government and requests the solidarity or all its supporters.

For more information, you can go www.ifconews.org.