PHOTO/PEGGY CASE
Summit opposing commodification and privatization of water
FLINT, MI – Water is Life. There can be no contesting this fact. Yet all over the world greedy corporations and individuals are determined to remove water from the commons, control it for profit, and rob the commons of its life blood. The result is loss of life for people and ecosystems and pollution and illness for what remains. The work of water protectors is never ending. More threats arise each day and our unity is key to our victories.
A conference will be held September 29-30 in Flint, Michigan to focus on the many faces of the privatization and commodification of water and the movement for united action to protect it for all. The gathering is sponsored by a coalition of Canadian, US and Indigenous groups, coming together to continue building unity of action specifically focusing on the Great Lakes Region. We began with agreement that water must be secured for the commons and must not be privatized, polluted or taken from anyone. We join together to examine strategies for its protection.
Over 100,000 people have been denied water in Detroit. The entire city of Flint has been robbed of clean water. In both cities, State takeover of the democratic processes and installation of “emergency managers” to pursue corporate interests is to blame. The entire state of Michigan is being turned into a toxic waste dump with the blessing of State government at all levels, threatening fresh water throughout. In Canada and Michigan Nestle is trying to increase its control over fresh water aquifers for profit while the people of Detroit and Flint are shut off and poisoned. First Nations are denied fresh water infrastructure and treaty rights as corporations seek to increase their private access to water.
The free conference will highlight these struggles and more, with the goal of educating and motivating participants to united action. Speakers include Maude Barlow (Council of Canadians), Jim Olson (For Love of Water) Holly Bird (Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa), Lila Cabbil (People’s Water Board), Sylvia Orduno (Michigan Welfare Rights), Claire McClinton (Flint Democracy Defense League). A panel from grassroots groups such as Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation, Wellington Water Watchers, People’s Water Board and other regional water protector groups will focus on specifics for action and lead into workshop sessions where participants can continue the work of building a water protector action agenda. Conference details and registration information will be found soon on websites of sponsoring groups and on a Facebook event page. Stay tuned and join us.
Peggy Case is President of Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation.
