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For Immediate Release
August, 03 2018, 12:00am EDT
Contact:
Seth Gladstone - sgladstone@fwwatch.org, 917.363.6615
First Big U.S. City Poised To Ban Water Privatization Permanently
Baltimore is Moving to Amend City Charter to Forever Prohibit Lease/Sale of its Water and Sewer System
WASHINGTON
On Monday, August 6, the Baltimore City Council will vote to amend the City Charter to declare its water and sewer system as "inalienable." This would ban the sale and lease of the water and sewer system. If the mayor signs the resolution by August 13, the proposed charter amendment will go before voters for approval on the November ballot. Baltimore would be the first city in the country to amend its charter to preserve public ownership and control over its water and sewer systems. It would be the largest U.S. city to ban leases and sales of its water system.
Water privatization has become a highly contentious issue in Baltimore City for several years as multiple water corporations have expressed interest in the city's water system. Nationally, the Trump Administration has released an infrastructure blueprint that relies heavily on private investment in infrastructure. Baltimore will lead the country in standing up against this vision and preserving its water system as a public asset inalienable to the city and invaluable to public wellbeing.
What: Press Conference Announcing Council President Jack Young's Charter Amendment to Ban Water Privatization in Baltimore
Where: Baltimore City Hall, 4th floor, in front of the Council Chambers. 100 Holliday St, Baltimore, 21202
When:Monday, August 6, 2018 at 4PM
Speakers:
City Council President Jack Young
City Council Members Ryan Dorsey, John Bullock, Bill Henry and Robert Stokes
Glen Middleton, Executive Director, AFSCME Maryland Council 67 and President of Maryland Public Employees, AFSCME Local 44
Dr. Alvin C. Hathaway, Sr., Pastor, Union Baptist Church
Rianna Eckel, Maryland Organizer, Food & Water Watch
Food & Water Watch mobilizes regular people to build political power to move bold and uncompromised solutions to the most pressing food, water, and climate problems of our time. We work to protect people's health, communities, and democracy from the growing destructive power of the most powerful economic interests.
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