Law Students Respond to Flint Water Crisis
This week Flint, Michigan’s Governor apologized for the lack of response by him and the state of Michigan’s for the state’s diverting contaminated water to the residents of Flint. The water is brown and filled with lead contaminants. President Obama declared a national emergency in Flint because of the water crisis.
Family members, particularly children, are experiencing high blood lead levels since the state changed the source of the city’s water from the Lake Huron to the polluted Flint River. Flint is a city with a high population of low income families who primarily are people of color. In addition to changing the water source for Flint, the state stopped taking measures that minimize lead leaking from the old and dangerous water pipes.
To watch a video detailing the history of the crisis click here.
UMass Law School student Ashley Williams, a member of the Black Law Student Association, is mobilizing law students in soliciting water donations to residents of Flint, Michigan. In order to assist the Flint community, Ms. Williams contacted the University of Michigan Law School BLSA. Michigan Law students were already involved in assisting the Flint community, and gave Ms. Williams important information, support and advice on how collect and transport water. The Law School had already established designated drop points where trucks arrive to transport donated water to Flint.
Ms. Williams, who grew up in a poor neighborhood of Philadelphia, immediately identified with the problem when she heard of the contaminated water. ” I felt it was important to show that the residents of Flint had a support system from busy students who have their own tight budgets. This was important to me because it’s exactly what I would want for my city. ” She asked where she could send water, even if a small amount of her own donation. Ms. Williams said 