This image was lost some time after publication.

The National Black Chamber of Commerce has weighed in against the partnership between Google and Yahoo, suggesting that by gaining control of Yahoo's search advertising inventory, it will create a single auction market for search ad placement and lead to higher prices.

Anti-trust officials need to step in to protect the nascent but prospering online market from the ravages of a Robber Baron like monopoly.

The American Corn Growers Association has also been actively lobbying against network neutrality. Coincidence? The NBCC, founded by CEO Harry Alford (pictured here wearing a festive $100 bill tie), took the position that the Justice Department didn't go far enough in punishing Microsoft for antitrust violations. However, it has sided with AT&T and Comcast against network neutrality, a cause favored by Google, in the past. Why would a major corporation ask ACGA, NBCC or latino IT workers to lobby on its behalf? Because then you can accuse opponents of hating farmers, black business owners and hispanic techies, respectively. Full release after the jump.

National Black Chamber of Commerce questions Google-Yahoo partnership

Washington, DC – In response to reports that Google will merge operations with Yahoo!, Harry Alford, President and CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, issued the following press statement:

"There is no denying that the proposed partnership between Google and Yahoo! would create a de facto online gatekeeper, raising prices for small businesses seeking to grab a piece of the growing online marketplace. The companies have argued that they don't "set" ad prices, but when all would-be advertisers are forced to participate in the same auction prices will skyrocket and smaller players can be more easily shut out. As minority businesses make quantum leaps within the uniquely egalitarian online market, this alliance represents a painful step backwards, towards monopoly and away from diversity. Anti-trust officials need to step in to protect the nascent but prospering online market from the ravages of a Robber Baron like monopoly."

NBCC is dedicated to economically empowering and sustaining African American communities through entrepreneurship and capitalistic activity within the United States and via interaction with the Black Diaspora. NBCC represents 95,000 Black owned businesses and provides an advocacy that reaches all 1 million Black owned businesses.