Over 120,000 Detroit residents have had their water cut-off, creating a public health and human rights crisis.
The Windsor chapter of the Council of Canadians is organizing a solidarity convoy to bring 1,000 litres of water to Detroit and draw attention to the growing crisis. The convoy will conclude with a rally calling on Michigan and U.S. governments to step in.
July 24, 2014
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3:30 p.m. |
Convoy will meet at Basic Foods, 880 Goyeau St, Windsor, ON |
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4:00 p.m. |
Convoy departs for Detroit |
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4:30 p.m. |
Rally at Spirit of Detroit statue, Woodward Ave. and E. Jefferson St., Detroit, MI |
*Participants will require proper identification documents (passport) to cross the U.S. border. More information on ID requirements, visit the United States Embassy in Canada website.
CUPE National President Paul Moist and Council of Canadians National Chairperson of the Maude Barlow will join the convoy and speak at the concluding rally in Detroit.
CUPE members in the Windsor area are encouraged to participate, and stand in solidarity with the people of Detroit, to demand their public water and wastewater services be permanently restored.
The financial troubled city has declared bankruptcy, and many have fled for the suburbs or other cities. This has greatly diminished the tax-base, and left much of the public infrastructure – such as the water and wastewater system – in disrepair. Those who have remained in Detroit, mostly African-American and low-income earners, have seen utility rates rise over 119 per cent in the last decade.
While the Detroit Water and Sewage Department a decreed the water cut-off to residence behind in their water bill, corporate clients in arrears continue to get service. Under public pressure, the department has recently suspended the cut-off, but for only 15 days.
Related article:
As shut-offs enter third month, Canadians to bring water to Detroit, demand Obama declare state of emergency (Council of Canadians, June 21, 2014)
Photo: Overpass Light Brigade, Creative Commons
