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A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release

Criminal Charges Welcome, Won't Bring Clean Water to Flint

Perpetrators need to be held accountable, but residents still need clean water

FLINT

It's been announced that Attorney General Bill Schuette has filed criminal charges against several state and city employees over their role in the Flint Water Crisis. The news is a welcome step toward justice, but the people of Flint continue to lack access to clean, safe, and affordable water.

"It's about time that an ounce of accountability was brought to this situation, but the policies that led to this crisis continue to exist. The people of Flint to this day struggle for basic water needs while state officials do little to remedy the situation. Rick Snyder's unelected emergency managers who were only interested in cutting costs took our voices away from us while we were forced to drink poisonous water. Where is the accountability for that?" stated Nayyirah Shariff, an organizer with Flint Rising. "We continue to pay sky-high water bills and lack basic access to water that we can trust. Gov. Snyder's response to this crisis has been anemic. We need our pipes replaced, full water bill reimbursement until the water is deemed safe across the entire city, and we need health and education services for every resident."

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Flint Rising is a coalition of community organizations and allies working to ensure that directly impacted people are building the organizing infrastructure and leadership necessary for this long-haul fight for justice and creating the future that Flint families need and deserve.

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