Special to the People’s Tribune:
After nearly three years, the residents of Flint say enough is enough! Why did the U.S. Senate recently pass a Flint Fund (bi-partisan) BILL? only to now postpone action by leaving it out of a Continuing Resolution (CR).
This means waiting until after the November elections to act. By then, the opportunity could be lost altogether. Meanwhile, the House of Representatives refuses to act at all! This is unacceptable!
We waited while the legislature took a seven-week vacation, only to returnfrom Labor Day, and to date, the response has been underwhelming.
News Flash! We still can’t use the water. We are still getting sick. No drinking, no cooking, no bathing in this toxic water! More Legionella is being reported! This is not an Emergency. This is a full blown DISASTER and Congress’s failure to act is a crime against humanity! We have marched, lobbied, participated in Congressional hearings and shouted to the rooftops
seeking relief.
The Flint water crisis is the result of the draconian Emergency Manager law
and as Representative Dan Kildee stated, “a failure of government at every level.” Why then can’t Flint get Medicare for all impacted residents? Why is the
Army Corp of Engineers on standby at Standing Rock ( North Dakota) to permit
companies to dig gas and oil pipes on sacred Native land when they should be
in Flint replacing life-saving water pipes? Finally, why are politicians playing politics with desperately needed Federal Funds for Flint? Without these funds, the Flint Water Crisis will not go away and neither will we.
Call Senator Mitch McConnell (202) 224-2541
Call House Speaker Paul Ryan (202) 225-3031
Call the White House (202) 456-1111
Tell them FLINT LIVES MATTER! Pass the FLINT Fund Bill NOW!!!
Contact 2 years 2 Long Coalition:
Facebook: FlintH2OJustice
-labor donated-
Flint: Voices of the people
Editor’s note: As we go to press, Congress sits on a Flint Fund that could help alleviate the suffering of the poisoned people of Flint. On September 26, people in Flint held a press conference and attended a City Council meeting, demanding that Congress release these funds. Here are some of their voices:
“We hear that help is on the way. People are still getting sick. We need to not only let our voices be heard, but put our feet to the pavement. The medical situation is serious. I’m 39. I’m not entitled to medical because I’m over 21. We’re looking for answers.”
“Flint lives don’t matter. The government says our lives don’t matter. It is two years too long. My eyes still burn. I’m still losing hair. People think, because of the media, everything is fine. People are aching, sucking on this water. We’re all standing here in pain and dying. We ain’t killing each other—we’re being killed. One woman stood here for five weeks by herself. Here she still stands. I don’t care what color you are. We are sick. That’s what color we are. We’re suffering. We can’t let this go on. We need to let them know we stand together.”
“The city leaders are drinking the privatization Kool Aid while the people are drinking toxic water.”
“I have pneumonia. My doctor wanted to put me in the hospital. I said I don’t have the money. He sent me home with antibiotics and inhalers. I get out of a shower and have to take my breath inhaler. I’m sick. Why? The water.”
“They need to come and do all of the pipes. America, this is injustice. If this can happen to this small city in Flint, it can happen to you, too. In November, make a decision. Change our politics, change our government. This government is not working for us. The government is supposed to make sure our needs are met.”
“My sister developed diabetes. She moved to Atlanta. I was going down every week but couldn’t afford it. I went to pick her up from the hospital. The doctor brought the police in. They said if I brought my sister home, I would be arrested. They wouldn’t be liable for releasing her to a city in a disaster. I cry every day for my sister.”
“The governor is a liar. Jail Snyder. . . We demand clean water. No justice no peace. . . If we don’t get it shut it down . . . We demand justice for ALL.”