As of Thursday, 750 homes in the Saginaw area were without water. Activists gathered in a virtual press conference Thursday calling on officials to stop the shutoffs. These shutoffs, they said, cause a great health risk on their own, and are worsened by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Carly Rose, a member of the Saginaw Community Action for the People and the moderator of the conference. said the officials at city hall have placed a temporary ban on water shutoffs in response to the outcry from citizens. Despite this, the work is far from done. Saginaw is not alone when it comes to water shutoffs.
“Saginaw is not unique,” Rose said. “There are other communities across Michigan who are choosing to do water shutoffs during this time instead of trying to wait and apply for those federal funds that are coming down the line. They’re choosing to initiate shutoffs early. And we want to make sure that everybody knows that, not just in Saginaw, but in the entire state of Michigan who is facing water shutoffs, that that is a choice.”
Rose was joined by several panelists, including Pamela Pugh, who was the former chief health adviser of the City of Flint. Pugh said that by not having water, the difficulties of the coronavirus pandemic are worsened.
“So we can deliver messages like wash your hands, but without water you can’t wash your hands,” Pugh said. “Keep your immune system healthy, stay hydrated. You can’t do that without water.”
Sylvia Orduño, a longtime organizer for the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization, said while some communities are executing shutoffs as a result of infrastructure problems, the solution should be to work together.
“We believe this is not the time to shut off, but we believe that it is also the time to be engaging, if you haven’t already, and seeking more participation from residents,” Orduño said. “That blaming your most vulnerable residents will not get you anywhere. And as we’ve seen, it only creates more problems in your cities.”
Rose outlined four demands for the local officials:
An immediate cease of all water shutoffs with free reconnection for all disconnected residents and an indefinite moratorium placed on water shutoffs.
A cessation of plans and intentions to issue municipal civil violations or fees to residents with relation to water utility.
A cessation of plans and intentions to use tax liens as a means of removing citizens in relation to their water utility status.
An investigation of city staff and their efforts to deny due process to citizens regarding water shutoffs.
Rose said if all four demands are not met, the group plans to hold a rally at Saginaw City Hall July 8.