Protesters in Flint demand new pipes in response to water crisis

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

World | Fri Feb 19, 2016 1:45pm EST

Protesters in Flint demand new pipes in response to water crisis

FLINT, MICH. | BY SERENA MARIA DANIELS

More than 500 protesters led by civil rights activist Jesse Jackson marched to the Flint water plant on Friday to demand clean water and the replacement of corroding pipes in response to the city's lead contamination crisis.

"This is a crime scene. Somebody lied. Somebody lied. Somebody covered up. We want water we can drink," Jackson said.

As a cost-cutting measure in 2014, Flint switched its water system from Detroit to a local river. The more corrosive water from the river leached lead from water system pipes, leading to high levels of lead in hundreds of homes.

The lead contamination - which could have been prevented with anti-corrosion treatment of the water - has become a national political scandal as emails and documents have emerged showing that Michigan officials tried to play down the problem for months.

Jackson was accompanied by ministers from the group Concerned Pastors for Social Action; Judge Greg Mathis, a syndicated television personality; and Flint mother and activist Melissa Mays.

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Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-michigan-water-idUSKCN0VS2G6

[clarice]

1. I wonder if they even live there? nt

[Octafish]

2. It is a crime scene.

Thank you, Rev. Jackson! A great Democrat.

[Blue_Tires]

3. New piping is pretty much a given, right?

because the current pipes are already ruined, pretty much...

There is some sick irony in how much $$$$ this will end up costing the state of Michigan after this whole thing started from some financial manager was hellbent on saving some nickels (and endangering lives in the process)