Contributed to the People’s Tribune by a Flint activist
Michigan State Attorney issues new indictments and Congress finally acts
FLINT, MI — Four more indictments have been issued regarding the Flint water crisis. This brings a total of 13 people charged to date. But for the first time, Emergency Managers (two) were among those charged. Residents here are heartened that Emergency Managers, especially Darnell Earley, face felony charges since he switched the water from Detroit to the toxic Flint River in April, 2014. A few months later, ignoring residents hue and cries about odors, discoloration, rashes, hair falling out, lead poisoning and more, Earley granted permission for the General Motors Engine Plant to return to the Detroit water source because the Flint water was rusting their parts! When publicly confronted about allowing GM to restore it’s water source for the benefit of engines—yet denying Flint residents the same—Earley callously declared, “That’s apples and oranges!”
Karen Weaver, who is Flint’s Mayor, and Congressman Dale Kildee stated that the charges expose the Emergency Manager law that has robbed cities of their DEMOCRACY.
Meanwhile, the Federal government finally moved on a 170 million Bill to aid the city of Flint. The funds are earmarked to replace infrastructure, health issues and forgive some of Flint’s water debt.
The long suffering but resilient people of Flint have a long ways to go. We are encouraged by these victories, yet far too many are still dealing with life-changing and life-threatening health challenges, physically and emotionally. The shutoff notices have arrived for water we can’t use. The residents of a housing complex are headed for eviction because the absentee LLC landlord refuses to pay their water bill.
Watch on TV while the former public works city employees and Emergency Managers arraigned on felony charges that could send them to prison for 20 years or more- Hallelujah!!!
Now it’s time to pick up another case of bottled water to cook dinner tonight!!
