Flint Deserves Justice and Snyder Must be Held Accountable

Washington, D.C. — On Monday, a U.S. district judge reinstated former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder as a defendant in a class action lawsuit by the victims of the Flint water crisis.

In response to the development Food & Water Watch released the following statement from Mary Grant, Public Water for All Campaign Director:

“Flint residents deserve justice for the poisoning of their water. The Flint water crisis would have never occurred without the actions of then-Governor Rick Snyder who took local control away from Flint’s leaders and put the city under financial management. Five years ago this month, an emergency manager appointed by Snyder made the disastrous decision to switch Flint’s water supply to a polluted river without proper treatment, causing lead to leach out of water lines into the city’s drinking water. Bacteria and lead contaminated the water. For years, residents have fought for safe water but long-term damage has been done.

“The timeline of events leading to the Flint water crisis shows how it is clear that the Snyder administration knew more about the crisis than it initially disclosed to the public — with damaging consequences for public health. It's a deep shame that Snyder has yet to face any consequences for his role in the Flint water crisis.

“For far too long, Flint residents have waited for justice. Justice demands accountability. Now is the time to hold Snyder accountable.”

Food & Water Watch mobilizes regular people to build political power to move bold and uncompromised solutions to the most pressing food, water, and climate problems of our time. We work to protect people’s health, communities, and democracy from the growing destructive power of the most powerful economic interests.

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