What Did Rick Snyder Know, and When Did He Know It? #FlintWaterCrisis & the Dem. Pres. Debate

From the annotation accompanying Michigan House Democrats’ YouTube of this statement (not a transcript of Greimel’s remarks): 

Today, because it is in the best interest of the people of Michigan, I’m calling on Gov. Rick Snyder to resign for his actions pertaining to the Flint water crisis. This is a position I’ve come to after serious thought, reflection and consideration. Given the actions of negligence and indifference by the governor, and a culture he has created that lacks transparency and accountability, the very serious call for resignation is warranted. Gov. Snyder has created a culture that lacks a commitment to transparency and accountability and that is obsessed with spreadsheet totals, public relations positioning, and ‘pass the buck’ politics that put the health of 100,000 people in jeopardy and may have taken the lives of nine Michiganders. It is a culture so pervasive that when scientists and Flint residents sounded the alarm, they were mocked, dismissed and subjected to public relations spin rather than being listened to. It is a culture so pervasive that for months, the problem was allowed to continue, even to the point of ignoring scientific evidence that the crisis had potentially grown to a fatal level. In the end, it is a culture created by the governor, for which he is ultimately responsible.

It’s stunning, isn’t it? More and more evidence, drop by drop, spilling out uncontainably, washing away all Snyder’s denial of culpability and responsibility for this catastrophe. It was never plausible anyway. He might as well give up all pretense.

As you likely know, there is a Democratic Presidential Debate in Flint this coming Sunday, along with a number of associated campaign events. I’ll let you track down those details—except, please note that there MAY be associated protests on Sunday, in Flint, to draw national attention once more to the #FlintWaterCrisis. I will write again if so.

Meanwhile: Some of you may have received this email from Irna Landrum of the Daily Kos activism team regarding a petition to have this Presidential Debate focus on racial and environmental justice. Flint is the city in the news at the moment, yes, and the injuries there are devastating and appalling. But it is neither alone nor anomalous. 

Since Flint’s crisis was uncovered, it has been revealed that dozens of cities and counties face elevated lead levels--and these are only the ones we know about. Communities of color have been targeted for pollution for far too long. Crumbling infrastructure, air pollution, trash incinerators, toxic dumps, and tainted water frequently plague communities of color and low wealth. Just like Flint, many communities of color and indigenous communities are plagued by environmental racism while they also battle income inequality, high unemployment, underperforming schools, police brutality, and mass incarceration. Democratic presidential candidates are increasing outreach to communities of color and indigenous communities as the primary season heats up. Democrats and the DNC must not take these votes for granted. It is vital that Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders share clear plans to enact racial and environmental justice in these communities. Sign if you agree: The March 6 Democratic presidential debate in Flint must focus on racial and environmental justice.

Every debate should include substantive discussion of topics like these—about why poor Americans of color should be subjected to the most pollution and the most environmental hazards generally. But it would be especially galling to have a debate here, now, without that issue being front and center. The petition is almost 80% to its goal. Please follow the link and share the petition widely. 

This Friday, there will also be a Town Hall in Flint to discuss the political and economic context for the Flint Water Crisis. Follow the link within the tweet here for live streaming of the event.

This Friday don't miss #BlackFlintRising town hall live streaming from #Flint, MI https://t.co/BqaYtgj9BPpic.twitter.com/F0qsvYr9jj

UPDATE: Thanks to DoReMI, we have this event to publicize too:

Please help us build this weekly Michigan thread so that it includes any information relevant to turning MI Blue again that you would like me to highlight. MI contributors are always welcome! You can reach me through kosmail at peregrine kate. Or say hi through email here: peregrinekate@gmail.com And please follow me on Twitter @peregrinekate

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