The Water Crisis in Flint, Michigan
The crimes behind the US lead water crisis
By Andre Damon, 19 March 2016
The revelation of widespread lead contamination in drinking water in the US, and the complete indifference of the government to it, have shown where the priorities of American capitalism lie.
As reports point to nationwide epidemic of lead contamination
Michigan governor, EPA head testify on Flint water crisis
By Andre Damon, 18 March 2016
The same day as Rick Snyder and Gina McCarthy testified before Congress, USA Today reported that up to one-fifth of America’s water systems may be contaminated with lead.
Video: Lead poisoning discussed at Flint water event
By James Brewer, 18 March 2016
As home water samples were being collected in Flint, city residents told the World Socialist Web Site how the lead poisoning crisis has affected them.
Flint emergency manager, EPA continue to dodge responsibility for water crisis
By James Brewer, 17 March 2016
While federal, state and local officials tried to evade responsibility, Virginia Tech professor Marc Edwards indicted the EPA for allowing the poisoning of Flint residents.
Second test of Flint water being performed by Virginia Tech
By James Brewer, 17 March 2016
An event was held in Flint last Saturday, billed as an “EPA Open House,” to collect water samples from Flint homes.
Flint meeting examines background of city’s water crisis
By Shannon Jones, 12 March 2016
The SEP and IYSSE held a well-attended meeting on the campus of the University of Michigan, Flint, examining the social and political background to the lead poisoning of city residents.
Flint residents call out government’s failure to act on water poisoning
By Buster Haycook, 10 March 2016
Despite pledges to act by politicians at the federal, state and local levels, no serious action is being taken to address the poisoning of city residents.
Democrats cover up role of Obama administration in Flint water crisis
By James Brewer, 9 March 2016
Clinton and Sanders said nothing about the US Environmental Protection Agency, which concealed its findings of high lead levels in Flint’s water.
SEP and IYSSE meeting: The political and social roots of the Flint water crisis
9 March 2016
The Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) will examine the real causes of the Flint water crisis––and who is responsible for the poisoning of the population.
The Flint water crisis and the US elections
By Jerry White, 7 March 2016
The economic nationalist policies promoted by Sanders complement the anti-immigrant racism and xenophobia of Republican front-runner Donald Trump.
Flint resident files lawsuit against corporations, officials
By James Brewer, 5 March 2016
LeeAnne Walters, whose four children still experience symptoms from exposure to lead, named three companies and three officials in her suit.
New information emerges about Flint’s decision to switch to untreated water
By James Brewer, 1 March 2016
The examination of uncovered documents, combined with the thousands of newly-public emails released by Governor Rick Snyder, begin to uncover the economic interests behind the poisoning of Flint.
Top advisors to Michigan governor urged switching water supply from polluted Flint River
By Shannon Jones, 27 February 2016
Newly released emails show that top aides to Michigan Governor Rick Snyder advocated switching the Flint water supply back to the Detroit water system by October 2014, a year before the public disclosure of contamination.
Flint death toll from Legionnaires’ disease worsened by state and federal inaction
By James Brewer, 25 February 2016
From early on, the criminally negligent handling of the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak by the highest officials exacerbated its scope and effects.
Flint residents protest lead poisoning and political cover-up
By Buster Haycook and Zac Corrigan, 23 February 2016
The WSWS spoke to residents about the ongoing water crisis which has revealed fundamental problems of American society, including unprecedented levels of social inequality.
Jesse Jackson promotes Democratic Party at Flint rally
By Shannon Jones, 20 February 2016
While the anger expressed by march participants was genuine, Jackson sought to channel outrage behind the very same politicians responsible for the lead poisoning of Flint residents.
An interview with Professor Marc Edwards on the Flint water crisis
By Carlos Delgado, 19 February 2016
The Virginia Tech University professor responsible for revealing the Flint water crisis to the world speaks about the complicity of government agencies in concealing dangerous levels of lead in public drinking water.
Despite lead poisoning, Flint water rates highest in US
By James Brewer, 18 February 2016
A report by a national water advocacy group surveys comparative rates in the country’s largest water systems.
Water quality official warned Flint, Michigan was not prepared for switch to Flint River
By James Brewer, 16 February 2016
Eight days before switching to the heavily polluted river as a water source, a city official warned that the water system was not ready for the change.
GM and UAW donate $3 million to Flint: Criminals covering their tracks
By Jerry White, 12 February 2016
Outside of the state and local authorities, there are few if any other entities so deeply implicated in the social catastrophe in Flint as GM and the UAW.
Flint inmates forced to use contaminated water
By Sheila Brehm, 12 February 2016
Former inmate and Flint resident Jody Cramer brought the situation to public attention when he spoke out on a national radio program.
E-mails show Michigan state officials knew of Legionnaires’ outbreak in Flint in early 2015
By James Brewer, 11 February 2016
Numerous health experts concerned that Flint River water was the source of the Legionnaires’ disease outbreak were thwarted by state water authorities.
Protest at University of Michigan on Flint crisis promotes racial politics
By James Brookfield, 11 February 2016
The intervention by SEP Assistant National Secretary Lawrence Porter provoked considerable discussion about the class issues in the water disaster, the Democratic Party and racial politics.
Cities and towns across the US suffer lead poisoning rates worse than Flint
By Carlos Delgado, 9 February 2016
One of the first doctors to describe the effects of lead on children called the disease “a toxicity of habitation.” Today it might be more accurately termed a toxicity of poverty.
Hillary Clinton covers for Obama and Democrats in Flint water crisis
By Shannon Jones, 8 February 2016
In a visit to Flint on Sunday, Clinton sought to obscure the criminal role of Democratic officials at all levels of government in covering up the lead poisoning of residents.
Emails reveal Michigan governor’s staffer knew about Flint Legionnaires’ disease outbreak in March 2015
By James Brewer, 6 February 2016
A March 13 email to a staffer for Governor Snyder related that county health officials suspected that the “uptick” in Legionnaires’ disease was due to the switch to the Flint River.
Hundreds attend University of Michigan talk on Flint water crisis
By Carlos Delgado, 6 February 2016
Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha spoke about her work and the devastating impact of lead poisoning on Flint residents.
Residents speak out against Flint water disaster at Congressional hearing
By our reporter, 5 February 2016
The WSWS interviewed some of those who attended this week's Congressional hearing on the Flint water poisoning crisis.
Political crisis over Flint poisoning intensifies as Congress holds hearing
By Nick Barrickman, 4 February 2016
Scientists and residents of Flint, Michigan who testified in Washington described a systematic cover-up of lead poisoning at the local, state and federal level.
Flint pre-screening of the documentary MisLEAD: America’s Secret Epidemic
Parents fighting lead poisoning denounce government inaction and lies
By Tim Rivers, 4 February 2016
Following a preview screening of the film MisLEAD: America’s Secret Epidemic, which documents the epidemic spread of lead across America, a panel of parents was joined by the director of the film and a state expert for lead risk assessment.
US Environmental Protection Agency administrator appears in Flint, Michigan to “rebuild trust” over water crisis
By James Brewer, 3 February 2016
The one-day visit was a politically orchestrated effort at damage control engineered from the highest levels of government.
The World Socialist Web Site and the Flint water crisis
By Shannon Jones, 1 February 2016
Long before the crisis in Flint became a national issue, the World Socialist Web Site was exposing the facts and issuing warnings.
State workers in Flint supplied with bottled water one year prior to acknowledgement of crisis
By E.P. Bannon, 30 January 2016
An internal email shows that the administration of Michigan Governor Snyder was providing state workers in Flint with bottled water long before any government official publicly acknowledged a health hazard existed.
Questions emerge over motives behind ending Flint’s ties to Detroit water system
By James Brewer and Jerry White, 29 January 2016
The official narrative, that Flint officials disconnected the city from the relationship from the Detroit water system simply to save money, has been undermined by recent revelations.
The Rachel Maddow show in Flint: Damage control for Democrats
By Shannon Jones, 29 January 2016
Maddow’s appearance was an attempt to bolster the credibility of the state’s political establishment, whose criminality has been exposed by the crisis around the city’s lead-poisoned water.
Emergency meeting on the crisis in Detroit and Flint draws over one hundred workers and youth
By E.P. Bannon, 29 January 2016
The meeting, which was attended by teachers, city workers, autoworkers, students and other sections of the working class, discussed a political strategy for the entire working class.
Large turnout at emergency meeting on the crisis in Detroit and Flint called by SEP
28 January 2016
Over a hundred workers, retirees and young people, including representatives of teachers and students participating in a sickout protest in Detroit Public Schools, as well as autoworkers and Flint residents, attended an emergency meeting called by the Socialist Equality Party and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality in Detroit Wednesday. A full report on the meeting will follow tomorrow.
Video: Flint residents protest paying for poisoned water
By a WSWS reporting team, 26 January 2016
On Monday, residents protested the exorbitant utility rates charged by the city of Flint, Michigan for water tainted with lead and other poisons.
Democratic state treasurer played key role in Flint water disaster
By Shannon Jones, 25 January 2016
Andy Dillon, who played a key role in the conspiracy to throw Detroit into bankruptcy, gave the go-ahead for Flint to leave the Detroit water system, a decision that set in motion the disaster.
Evidence mounts that poisoned Flint water caused deaths
By Andre Damon, 23 January 2016
At least 10 people have died from an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease, which has been linked to the poisoning of Flint residents covered up for more than a year by the government.
Michigan residents speak on Flint lead poisoning
By a WSWS reporting team, 23 January 2016
Workers and students from Flint, Detroit, Lansing and other cities in Southeastern Michigan demonstrated their anger at the poisoning of Flint’s water supply at the state Capitol building in Lansing on Tuesday evening.
The roots of the crisis in Flint and Detroit
By Eric London, 22 January 2016
The catastrophe in Michigan, including the lead poisoning of thousands of residents in Flint, has provoked outrage across the country.
Emergency meeting January 27 on the crisis in Flint and Detroit
22 January 2016
The Socialist Equality Party and International Youth and Students for Social Equality are calling a public meeting in Detroit, Michigan on January 27 to discuss a political strategy to unite the working class.
Autoworkers speak on Flint water crisis
By Shannon Jones, 22 January 2016
Workers expressed their solidarity with the people of Flint who are suffering from lead poisoning due to the criminal actions of state, local and federal authorities.
“We’ve lost our democracy. It’s a revolutionary time.”
Video: Workers and youth protest Flint water poisoning at Michigan State Capitol
By Lawrence Porter and Zac Corrigan, 20 January 2016
The WSWS spoke to demonstrators outside the Capitol building in Lansing, Michigan as Governor Rick Snyder spoke on the water crisis in Flint.
Obama White House declares state of emergency over Flint water crisis
By Thomas Gaist, 18 January 2016
In the face of an immense public health catastrophe, the American federal government has mustered the meager sum of some five million in federal funds.
Michigan workers speak on the poisoning of Flint water
By James Brewer, 18 January 2016
Workers in Flint and surrounding areas are incensed at the continued crisis around the poisoning of Flint’s water.
New revelations expose federal cover-up in Flint, Michigan water crisis
By James Brewer, 15 January 2016
US Environmental Protection Agency officials knew as early as April that the Flint River water was not being treated for corrosivity.
Flint, Michigan: Portrait of an American city
By Andre Damon, 15 January 2016
The man-made disaster in Flint has revealed the reality of social relations in America behind the official facade constructed by the media and politicians.
Michigan governor calls out National Guard over Flint water crisis
By a WSWS reporting team, 14 January 2016
The lead-poisoning disaster in Flint is the direct result of cost-cutting measures carried out under the Michigan emergency manager law.
Dramatic spike in Legionnaires’ disease deaths possibly linked to Flint River water
By James Brewer, 14 January 2016
Health officials announced that 87 cases of the disease resulting in 10 deaths occurred while the city was on Flint River water.
“They’ve taken us back to the dark ages”
Outraged Flint residents protest water contamination
By Zac Corrigan and Shannon Jones, 12 January 2016
At a recent demonstration residents described the horrific conditions they are facing and demanded that state officials be held accountable for the man-made disaster.
Lead poisoning in Flint, Michigan
By James Brewer and Jerry White, 8 January 2016
The poisoning of the population in the former manufacturing center for General Motors—and the cover-up by state officials—highlights the socially destructive character of American capitalism.
Michigan governor declares state of emergency over Flint lead poisoning
By James Brewer, 6 January 2016
Gov. Rick Snyder’s announcement came the day after the Genesee County Board of Commissioners held a meeting to discuss its approval of Flint Mayor Karen Weaver’s request for a federal disaster declaration.
Top Michigan environmental safety officials resign amidst ongoing Flint water crisis
By Matthew Brennan, 31 December 2015
The resignations are an attempt by Republican governor Rick Snyder to obscure the criminal role he and his "Emergency Managers" in Flint and Detroit have played in creating a public health crisis.
State of emergency declared in Flint, Michigan over poisoned water supply
By Matthew Brennan and Lawrence Porter, 16 December 2015
Behind the declaration by the newly-elected mayor is a deep-going political crisis over the poisoning of nearly 100,000 residents.
Michigan political crisis over lead poisoning in Flint
By James Brewer, 11 November 2015
State and local officials ignored health warnings in regard to the water supply.
Flint workers speak out against lead poisoning of water supply
By Phyllis Scherrer, 19 October 2015
WSWS reporters visited Flint to discuss the city’s water crisis, produced by the cost-cutting decision of city officials to switch their water source to the Flint River.
Michigan governor belatedly orders change in Flint’s water supply
By James Brewer, 10 October 2015
The action by the state of Michigan is a tacit admission that the city’s population has been subjected to lead poisoning for 17 months.
Michigan governor grudgingly admits Flint water danger
By James Brewer, 2 October 2015
Independent studies have proved that Flint residents, and particularly children, are in danger from lead poisoning caused by mismanagement of the water system.
Flint, Michigan residents fight lead poisoning of water supply
By James Brewer and Lawrence Porter, 26 September 2015
The head of the Virginia Tech university team that conducted a survey of Flint’s water toxicity warned residents not to trust the government's claims that city water is safe to drink.
Study shows Flint, Michigan has “very serious lead in water problem”
By James Brewer, 15 September 2015
A research group from Virginia Tech University calls for “immediate health warnings and intervention” based on sample results from Flint households.
Water shutoff moratorium in Flint as water crisis continues
By Shannon Jones, 1 September 2015
Residents of the Michigan city describe a continuing nightmare caused by astronomical water rates combined with foul smelling, discolored drinking water.
US Army simulates gun battles, sets off explosives in Flint, Michigan
By Thomas Gaist, 12 June 2015
The military drills come as US special operations forces prepare to conduct “Realistic Military Training” in American cities, towns and rural areas throughout the South and West.
“They don’t care about the people … all they care about are the rich”
Flint, Michigan residents speak on tainted water supply
By a WSWS reporting team, 1 April 2015
Flint residents expressed anger and frustration over unsafe water, high bills and the emergency manager overseeing the destruction of living conditions in the city.
Regional disputes deepen over control of Detroit water system
By James Brewer, 31 May 2014
The battle over control of Detroit’s water system between state and local governmental agencies is far from resolved.
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