* Content warning: environmental injustice
Last month, the Michigan Attorney General’s Office announced criminal charges against eight former and one current government official for their alleged involvement in the Flint, Michigan water crisis. Together, the group faces 42 counts. The next court appearance for some of these defendants is February 18.
The Flint Water Crisis first came to light in 2014, when the city issued a boil water advisory after fecal matter was identified in the water. The EPA informed Michigan in early 2015 that there were dangerous levels of lead in Flint’s water, months after its residents had been complaining of mysterious illnesses. Water in Flint ended up being poisoned for 18 months. Six years later, the Flint Water Crisis still has a severe impact on the community, given the nightmare it has been to try to recover from this disaster (Politico summarizes the Flint Water Crisis story up until 2020 and explains how deeply the distrust of government runs in the community as a result of this environmental injustice).
Currently, there is a $641 million Flint Water Crisis Settlement. Given the impacts of the crisis, Black Millennials 4 Flint is in support of demanding a ruling of “NO” for the current settlement until it includes their additions. Learn more about it here.
Written by Publicity Chair, Lizzy Mau, on February 11, 2021.