Activists share water from mayor’s mansion

Latest

Detroiters take water from the mayor’s residence and redistribute it to some of the residents facing water shutoffs. The Mayor chose to arrest community members who resist the water shutoffs rather than support a water affordability plan. PHOTO/DAYMONJHARTLEY.COM
Detroiters take water from the mayor’s residence and redistribute it to some of the residents facing water shutoffs. The Mayor chose to arrest community members who resist the water shutoffs rather than support a water affordability plan.
PHOTO/DAYMONJHARTLEY.COM

 
The following is a press release from the Detroit and Michigan Coalitions against Tar Sands.
DETROIT, MI – Yesterday, activists with the Detroit and Michigan Coalitions Against Tar Sands (DCATS/MICATS) took water from Mayor Dugan’s residence, the Manoogian Mansion, and redistributed it to residents facing water shutoffs.
Activists attached a hose to the Mansion’s external spigot and filled jugs of water.
Participants say they are taking today’s action because of Mayor Dugan’s refusal to support a “Water Affordability Plan”.
“While real Detroiters live in a crisis, the Mayor lives in a city-owned Mansion. Today we’re forcing Mayor Dugan to share his water with the people of Detroit,” Said Detroit Resident Valerie Jean.
As Detroit’s water crisis worsens community members are demanding the Mayor support a “Water Affordability Plan” adopted by the City Council in 2006.
More than 40,000 households have had their water turned off, a crisis that has triggered a UN human rights investigation.
However instead of dealing with the crisis, Mayor Dugan has chosen to arrest and prosecute community members who resist the shutoffs in an attempt to survive.
“Denying tens of thousands of people the right to water ought to be criminal, doing it while living in a publicly funded, city-owned mansion is just despicable,” said Jean.
Activists point out that the Mayor’s current 10-point payment plan is woefully inadequate and fails to address the fundamental issue of unreasonably high water bills. In April, an ACLU study showed that only 1.2% of Detroiters in the Mayor’s plan could pay their water bill, leaving 98.8% to default and face shutoff.
“Detroiters need a Water Affordability Plan to reduce bills and stop the shutoffs, not another failed payment plan,” said Valerie Jean

PT Logo collage
+ Articles by this author

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

Journalist Says Why ‘I Can No Longer Work With Reuters’

A photojournalist says why it is impossible for her to maintain a relationship with Reuters "given its role in justifying and enabling the systematic assassination of 245 journalists in Gaza."

Abrego Garcia Detained Again, Could be Deported to Uganda

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran immigrant worker, was freed from detention in Tennessee Aug. 22 and then re-arrested by ICE on Aug. 25 in Maryland. The Trump administration is trying to deport Abrego Garcia to Uganda.

An Open Letter to Mayor Matt Mahan of San Jose, CA.

From the San Jose CA Frontlines: Stop the sweeps. Unhoused people want a safe place to stay. All people should be respected, shown compassion, understanding.

Global Food Authority Declares Catastrophic Famine in Gaza

On Aug. 22, the world's top authority on hunger crises officially declared that a catastrophe-level famine in Gaza exists—a humanitarian disaster engineered by Israel's relentless blockade of food aid and other life-saving supplies.

Thousands of Texans Protest Trump’s Redistricting Plan To Get More Votes

The Texas capitol of Austin saw 5,000 people protesting Trump’s unconstitutional redistricting plan and other issues threatening our democracy.

More from the People's Tribune