Contact: Tiana Starks l 248.633.8620
communications@wethepeopleofdetroit.com
MEDIA ADVISORY
‘Mothers of the Movement’ to Join U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib to Demand Detroit Water Justice
We the People of Detroit, National Wildlife Federation, Freshwater Future, and Water PEEPS Coalition Call for DWSD Water Affordability Plan Transparency and Collaboration
Detroit, MI (July 6, 2022) – We The People of Detroit will join the ‘Mothers of the Movement’ to demand the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) engage fully and transparently with the community on its new Detroit Lifeline and Water Affordability Plan. The press conference will take place on Thursday, July 7 at 11:30 AM. U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib will speak at the event, along with community leaders who have been fighting for affordable water rates for over 25 years in the city of Detroit, residents, and experts.
Community groups represented at the event include Brightmoor Connection, We The People of Detroit and the Water PEEPs. The diverse coalition of community leaders support a sustainable, long-term water affordability program and call for true collaboration between DWSD and the community it serves. DWSD’s newest plan has not been reviewed and vetted by the community, and it is unclear how the program will be administered and ensure that water shutoffs will cease.
What: ‘Mothers of the Movement’ Call for Transparency, Accountability and Long-Term Water Affordability Planning from DWSD
When: Thursday, July 7, 2022
Press Conference – 11:30 AM EST
Where: 2727 Second Ave., Suite 265, Detroit, MI 48201
Who: Press Conference Speakers
U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib
Cecily McClellan – Director of Water Works, We The People of Detroit
Debra Taylor – Detroit resident with over a decade of water rights advocacy
Rev. Roslyn Bouier, M. Div – Detroit resident, Executive Director of Brightmoor Connection, Trinity-St. Mark’s, UCC Pastor and The Beloved Community New Church Start, Founder and Pastor
Professor Emily Kutil – Co-author of Mapping the Water Crisis
Valerie Jean Blakely – Resident, mother and water advocate affected by water shutoffs
Auntie Na – Director of Auntie Na’s Village
Theresa Landrum – Governor’s Appointee on the Michigan Advisory Council on Environment Justice
Norrel Hemphill, Esq. – WPD Legal Fellow
Sister Sonja – Detroit resident, mother and social justice advocate
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About We The People of Detroit
We the People of Detroit is dedicated to community coalition building and to the provision of resources that inform, train and mobilize the citizens of Detroit and beyond to improve their quality of life. A collaboration between community activists, academics, researchers and designers; the organization works to aggregate and visualize data about water, land and education issues. The collaborative’s research is produced on behalf of the citizens of Detroit to support their efforts to build a more democratic society. The research has been used to support community organizing, legal and legislative work.
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