‘About Damn Time’: Detroit Pauses Water Shutoffs Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

“It shouldn’t take a crisis like the spread of coronavirus to restore people’s right to drinking water.” By Andrea Germanos, staff writer for Common Dreams. Published 3-9-2020 Progressives heaped praise on grassroots activists in Detroit on Monday after the Michigan city announced, amid the spread of the coronavirus, it was temporarily restoring water services to […]

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What Is It Like to Live Without Running Water? Detroit Families Know

A recent study predicts that in the next five years, more than one-third of Americans will not be able to afford their water. By Zenobia Jeffries. Published 4-11-2017 by YES! Magazine Each day, Catherine Caldwell hauls three gallons of bottled water to her bathroom and two to her kitchen. She and her family use the water […]

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Indignation as Michigan Judge Drops Flint Water Charges Against GOP Ex-Gov Snyder

“The people of Flint deserve justice—and it’s unacceptable that the people responsible for Flint’s water crisis aren’t being held accountable,” said Food & Water Watch in response to the development. By Brett Wilkins.  Published 12-9-2022 by Common Dreams Environmental justice advocates on Friday condemned a move by a district judge in Michigan to drop two misdemeanor […]

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Why Did Democratic AG Kill Flint Water RICO Case?

“Political corruption poisoned Flint and political corruption shielded the wrongdoers from accountability,” said one critic following new revelations. By Kenny Stancil.  Pubished 1-17-2022 by Common Dreams Prosecutors investigating Flint’s contaminated water crisis were pursuing a racketeering case against public officials whose austerity-driven policies caused the health catastrophe, but after newly elected Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel […]

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More Than Six Years After Flint Water Crisis Began, Michigan Officials Announce $600 Million Settlement for City Residents

“If this helps, good… But you can’t buy back trust in government—or the water coming out of your faucet.” By Julia Conley, staff writer for Common Dreams. Published 8-20-2020 Six years after residents in Flint, Michigan began relying on their polluted local river as a drinking water source at the behest of Republican state officials […]

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‘Despicable’: Internal Emails Reveal Water Contractor Knew About Lead Risks in Flint Months Before City’s Public Confirmation

“I think anyone has to ask themselves how the story in Flint would be different five years later now if Veolia had made those private concerns public.” By Jessica Corbett, staff writer for Common Dreams. Published 12-10-2019 Internal emails reported on Tuesday by The Guardian and MLive reveal that executives at a water company contracted to assess the water […]

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Justice Denied, Delayed, or Done Right? Serious Concerns as Prosecutors Throw Out Charges in Flint Water Crisis Cases

Citing the “flawed foundation” of the initial probe, state prosecutors announced they are launching a new “uncompromising” investigation By Jessica Corbett, staff writer for Common Dreams. Published 6-13-2019 In a move that elicited fresh concerns and demands for justice, the Michigan prosecution team investigating the Flint water crisis announced Thursday that it was dismissing all […]

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As Corporate Power Threatens Americans’ Right to Water, Groups Offer UN Body List of Issues to Raise With US

“Civil and political rights must encompass the human right to water, which is increasingly under threat by corporations that seek to use and abuse our water supplies for profit.” By Andrea Germanos, staff writer for Common Dreams. Published 1-14-2019 When it comes to ensuring the human right to clean water, the United States has a long way […]

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Involuntary Manslaughter Charges for Top State Health Official for Role in Flint Water Crisis

Advocacy group says new charges boost call for governor to resign By Andrea Germanos, staff writer for Common Dreams. Published 6-14-2017 Michigan’s attorney general announced Wednesday that the head of the state’s health department and four others have been charged with involuntary manslaughter for their role in the years-long Flint water crisis. Nick Lyon, director of Michigan […]

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Flint Residents Barred From Closed-Door Water Quality Meeting

Advocates and residents are concerned that officials are rushing to declare the city’s water supply safe By Lauren McCauley, staff writer for Common Dreams. Published 1-10-2017 Residents of Flint, Michigan who traveled to Chicago were barred from attending a private meeting Tuesday between Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and other officials, who advocates say are rushing to declare […]

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