PHOTO/NAYYIRAH SHARIFF
FLINT, MI — Giving new meaning to “Justice Delayed, Justice Denied,” Flint’s Emergency Manager recently announced the formation of a water ‘advisory committee’ to bring “solutions” to the water crisis gripping the city of Flint. Veolia North America, the notorious private water corporation hired as a consultant by the Emergency Manager made the recommendation. Despite the recent DEQ report citing the Flint water as out of compliance with elevated levels of cancer causing trihalomethanes (TTHMs), in violation of the Safe Water Act, we continue to be bombarded with “the water is safe to drink”!
A recent demonstration in downtown Flint was joined by Bob Bowcock, founder of Integrated Resource Management, and a longtime investigator with renown environmentalist, Erin Brockavich. For weeks, various community groups such as the local Concerned Pastors for Social Action, the Democracy Defense League, the Facebook group—Flint Water Class Action, have called on the Emergency Manager as well as the Governor to return to the Detroit water system and to end Flint River as our water source. If it was good enough for General Motors (ending the Flint River source), who cried foul over rusting engine parts, it’s good enough for us.
Politicians’ water giveaways and free water test kits and the like has only strengthened our resolve. Even the local TV news station did a special and concluded that the water was “safe to drink.” All these efforts have been an attempt to convince us to live with a health challenged water system that we cannot use or afford.
A Line In The Sand
Skin rashes, foul odors, hair falling out, and rust colored water are epidemics spreading throughout the city. Meanwhile, the Emergency Manager regime continues to turn off the water of residents who pay the highest rates in the state—with few, if any, arrangements to be made. With political power resting in the hands of an Emergency Manager, the hiring of Veolia gives us great pause. In Pontiac, the Emergency Manager handed over the water system to United Water Services, Inc. Will we, the people, control our water in the interest of humanity or will naked corporate interests win this fight?
In the final analysis, protestor Gladyes Williamson summed up the heart of the situation: “I can’t believe it. Here I am in Flint, Michigan. I never would have thought I’d be drinking contaminated water surrounded by the Great Lakes!”
Claire McClinton is a Flint resident and UAW retiree.
One of the newsest developments is how high the lead is in MY water and the city is blaming it on my pipes…..my pipes in my home are pvc. None of the local media has made these results public, even though its a DEQ report. My leas is ar 104ppb, Epa standard is 15ppb. When I reached out the Epa, they emailed the DEQ and no one have responded.
The situation in Flint is dire! Students can’t drink the water at school, the water rates are through the ceiling & then you can’t even feel safe drinking the water! On March 21st a public hearing on racial equity as it relates to water/housing/criminal justice & transportation will be held to provide a platform to raise these issues in a search for solutions. The event is free but registrstion is suggested. Go to http://www.race2ewuity.org
our city state and federal government dont give two shits about us all we are too them is more money for the rich to steal from the poor they dont care if they posion us as long as the get there raises that they dont deserve all they do is lie and cheat the poor but what you going to do flint is full of sheep know one want to stand up to the government they hope it will get better and when it dont they still do nottingits sad