Activists in Detroit arrested after blocking trucks sent to turn off residents’ water
The city of Detroit isn’t doing so well. In fact, things are so bad that the city officials actually cut off residents’ water supply if they haven’t paid their water bill for at least two months.
The actions have sparked national outrage, accusing officials of violating the civil rights of residents. While taking a stand against the measures, activists were arrested for blocking trucks sent to turn off residents’ water.
Some 50 demonstrators on Thursday held a protest outside the offices of Homrich, a company contracted by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) to stop the flow to residences at least two months past due on their accounts. At least nine of the activists were arrested by Detroit police and charged with disorderly conduct when they temporarily blocked trucks from leaving the company’s parking lot. They were released on bail hours later.
The protests have been relatively small, but activists says more acts of civil disobedience will come if the city continues shutting off water lines. Activists say that in a city with a poverty rate of 44 percent, and where water bills are higher than most areas in the country, the city should work out a solution with poor residents instead of leaving them dry.
Critics say the city has been unnecessarily aggressive in pursuing delinquent accounts since it started shutting off residents’ water supply in April. Families with young children, and houses with disabled and elderly residents have been affected.
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