Detroit protest at Hart Plaza against Water Shutoffs

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• published: 21 Jul 2014
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#FREEDOMFRIDAYS #10 was held mid-day while the Netroots Nation conference was in session. Hundreds came out from the conference to walk in support with Detroiters against the shutoffs of water to Detroit residents as ordered by Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr and the Detroit Water Board. Notable in this video segment is the final minute - when an acoustic device was deployed causing discomfort for anyone gathered near the platform used for the rally. We believe a military device - an LRAD (Long Range Acoustic Device) was deployed on the public attending. We have heard from residents of rental properties that were not notified by their landlords of high water bills that resulted in water being turned off. It is inappropriate for people to have water - a human need - removed without notice. Detroit Water & Sewerage Department (DWSD) have contracted Homrich (a demolition company) to perform up to 3,000 shutoffs per week. Thousands of Detroiters have experienced their water being turned off for at least 24 hours. Hundreds have been found that have had no water service for months. Sanitation concerns around the city are increasing. Water stations have been setup through the Peoples Water Board Coalition and Detroit Water Brigade. The demands of the PWB are to enable the Water Affordability Program proposed in 2006 by Michigan Welfare Rights Organization (MWRO). DWSD has opened up DRWAP (Detroit Residential Water Affordability Program) in the last month as a response after having shutoff thousands. One of the stipulations of DRWAP is 1/3 of outstanding balance must be provided to enter into the program, that is not present in MWRO's WAP. There are many complex angles to this story that deserve further discussion - the shutoffs themselves are a symptom of a greater problem that is being avoided by the press. Emergency Manager Law has placed the city under a State of Michigan appointed "dictator" able to dissect City of Detroit operations, dissolve union contracts, and cram changes in public services upon the people. The City of Detroit is currently in Municipal Bankruptcy court and Judge Steven Rhodes is requesting Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr to provide rationale for the water shutoff program on Monday July 21. Kevyn Orr has shown an interest in privatization of the water department. Considering this interest, demonstrating the ability to bring residential accounts current pushes the value behind privatization higher. Numerous studies have shown privatization of water leads to higher prices, lower quality, and poor service. Public water enables the voice of the people to check rate hikes and service requirements. The concern of fees and interest on bond swaps that have been carried out illegally needs to be brought into the bankruptcy proceedings. The public is being encouraged to sit as observers in court and carry protest outside the federal courthouse (on Lafayette between Washington and Shelby) Monday regarding Kevyn Orr's interest in privatizing Detroit water and the ongoing shutoffs. Freedom Fridays are organized weekly in Detroit to protest various takeover and austerity activities that are ongoing. Usual time is 4:00pm outside the Water Board Building at 735 Randolph, Detroit.