FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from Progress Michigan
April 25, 2017
Contact: Sam Inglot, 616-916-0574, sam@progressmichigan.org
The Flint Water Crisis: Three Years Too Long
Republican elected officials have done little to help residents, solve problem
MICHIGAN — Today marks the three-year anniversary of the switch to the Flint River as a water source, which was part of bottom-line focused emergency management that contributed to the Flint Water Crisis. For three years, little has been done for the residents of Flint, who continue to struggle without access to clean, safe, and affordable water, because of callous indifference from the state’s elected officials.
“The people of Flint have been through hell over the last three years and it’s absolutely disgusting that there has been little change in their daily lives. Many still rely solely on bottled water and over 1,000 days into this crisis still cannot trust the water from their taps,” said Lonnie Scott, executive director of Progress Michigan. “While the residents of Flint struggle without clean water and are denied their basic rights, no significant legislation has been passed to prevent another crisis like this one and the Republican-led legislature has yet to issue one subpoena to investigate the crisis. Attorney General Schuette brags about justice for Flint, but the only people to date who have been cuffed and hauled off to jail are Flint Water Protectors fighting for their community. Lieutenant Governor Calley, the administrations point person for Flint, uses visits to Flint as PR stunts and now he’s counting down the days until he runs for governor – asking for a promotion instead of taking responsibility for his inaction.”
Progress Michigan continues to echo the demands of local activists to assist residents in dealing with the crisis: reimburse all residents’ water bills since the crisis began and provide free access until the water is 100 percent safe, replace all of the lead lines in the city, and provide comprehensive wraparound services for residents.
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