Editor’s note: Charges against 9 defendants in Detroit known as the “Homrich 9” have been dismissed. Defendants protested at the Homrich gate three years ago, arguing that their act of civil disobedience was not a crime. The city had handed a lucrative contract (by Emergency Manager Kevin Orr) for the company to execute the water shut offs in Detroit. Here are comments from some of the defendants at a press conference celebrating the victory.
“It is a joy to be here today. We are free! The laws were being changed because of the dirty work of Detroit. They could have taken the money spent on this case and paid people’s water bills and they could have taken that same money and implemented a water affordability plan. I’m grateful to be with this group of people – thanks to the People’s Water board, We the People, Michigan Welfare Rights, and all of the people who are part of this fight. We are fighting for a better world where we don’t face this kind of injustice. We are heading toward fascism. Water is a human right. The struggle has just begun.” – Marian Kramer
“Three years of prosecution on a misdemeanor is unconscionable. On the other hand, it has always been our desire to set this action on behalf of shut-off victims before a jury and to hear their verdict… Through this, we have been able to help keep water affordability and the violence of the shut-offs before the public. Among the best outcomes is the community built between ourselves and with our movement attorneys, who have done incredible work. For myself, neither conviction nor acquittal, or now dismissal, can alter that commitment. This struggle is ongoing.” – Rev. Bill Wylie-Kellermann
“The day before this action the National Nurses United was here in Detroit. They raised the public health crisis: all living beings need water to live. We need clean water for drinking; the elderly and children are particularly vulnerable to dehydration from lack of access to water. We cannot privatize this precious resource. . .— Kim Redigan
“This is a spiritual war. They are trying to change our way of living and attach everything to money. We can’t do it in small numbers. Everybody has to be part of this fight. It took three years. But it’s not over. So stay tuned.” — Baxter Jones
This goes back to 2013 as I recall. Looked at arrest twice but did not connect. City Council meetings got pretty rowdy.
May unity of the people grow