WHEN: February 16, 2016 6:00PM - 8:00PM
WHERE: Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History 315 E Warren Ave, Detroit, Michigan 48201
THE WATER CRIMES TRIBUNAL
A community exposé of the high crimes
committed against the people by the Snyder administration
The Water Crimes Tribunal is a social justice theater project that informs the general public concerning the crises that have been created by water shutoffs to thousands of families in Detroit, and the criminal negligence that led to poisoning of the Flint water supply.
In this trial, the people of Detroit indict Mayor Duggan and Governor Snyder for criminal violation of the human right to affordable, clean and safe water. The indictments have been drafted by lawyers for the people, with the role of prosecutor enacted by Detroit’s highly esteemed Attorney William Goodman, recipient of numerous honors for a lifetime of advancing human rights causes, and presently representing citizens of Flint in a real class action suit.
The issues of race and class are clear, as no one can imagine affluent, mostly white communities being forced to use contaminated, rash-inducing, lead-poisoned water as is the case in Flint. Likewise, it is no coincidence that massive water shutoffs have been used against an overwhelmingly African American city in the case of Detroit. The Water Crimes Tribunal puts these issues front and center.
This presentation of the Water Crimes Tribunal at The Wright Museum is a reprise of the original, performed on January 23rd at Cass Commons/Unitarian Church. This presentation features filmed highlights of the Tribunal, followed by audience discussion with the original performers, panelists and individuals who have been personally impacted by the water crises.
The Water Crimes Tribunal is a project of Detroiters Resisting Emergency Management (www.D-REM.org). It is co-sponsored by the National Lawyers’ Guild, the National Conference of Black Lawyers, Michigan Coalition for Human Rights, People’s Water Board, Eviction Defense, and We the People of Detroit.
Tribunal Cast
Dr. Gloria House (Mama Aneb Kgositsile) (Convener)
Monica Lewis Patrick
Co-Founder, We the People of Detroit,
Award-winning Grass Roots Organization
Detroit City Council Candidate
Former Aide to Honorable Councilmember Joann Watson
Rev. Bill Wylie-Kellermann (Judge)
Pastor, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church
Homrich 9 Civil Disobedience Water Shut-offs Defendant
Fred Vitale (Governor Snyder)
Retired Environmental Engineer, Ford Motor Co.
Professor Michael Doan (Mayor Duggan)
Philosophy Department
Eastern Michigan University
Attorney Thomas Stephens
Indictments
National Lawyers Guild Detroit & Michigan Chapter