A coalition representing immigrant-owned grocers filed a lawsuit over democratic socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani's plan to open government-run grocery stores in New York City. 

The coalition, which filed its lawsuit Monday morning, had sought unsuccessfully to find a solution out of court. The lawsuit argues that the plan violates New York civil rights laws and the New York Constitution's Equal Protection Clause, and it asks the courts to permanently block the grocery stores, Fox News reported. 

The Multicultural Business Coalition, which is composed of 50 chambers of commerce representing ethnically diverse businesses, made a final attempt to avoid litigation in a letter to City Hall on Wednesday, the New York Post reported. 

The coalition's president, Kenneth Roldan, said the case will be based on antitrust and predatory pricing. "The state cause of action will be tortuous interference and possibly discriminatory practices by the administration," he told the Post. 

The coalition represents Asian, African, Caribbean, Hispanic, Middle Eastern and Jewish-owned businesses in New York.