It has been over three years since Flint, Michigan switched their water source in efforts to save money, but as a result, thousands of residents have suffered lead poison and many other health issues due to the poor quality water and it finally seems that those residents are going to see some type of justice.
According to published reports, on Wednesday (Jun 14), 15 officials have officially been charged in connection to the Flint Water Crisis, several of which were officials that reported directly to Governor Rick Snyder. The charges range from involuntary manslaughter to obstruction of justice and lying to an officer, after 12 residents died from waterborne Legionnaires’ outbreak, a form of atypical pneumonia.
According to Michigan’s Attorney General’s office, five state and city officials were charged including Nick Lyon, the current director of the Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services. Lyons is accused of failing to alert the public of a Legionnaires’ outbreak in the Flint area. Dr. Eden Wells, chief medical officer, is being charged with obstruction of justice and lying to an investigator, but Governor Snyder will not face charges at this time.
What is truly disturbing about this is that President Donald Trump and the GOP bombed Syria for “poisoning” their civilians using chemical warfare earlier this year, but there are people on our soil being poisoned at the hands of their local government and are not allowed to leave Flint due to real estate laws prohibiting them from selling their homes with no recourse of action. Many are still asking ultimately who is going to be held accountable for the life long damages the residents of this predominately black community had to endure for the past three years and counting, with many continuing to document their challenges via social media.
Although the mid-level officials are catching the heat, many are hopeful that charges will eventually be brought against Governor Snyder for his involvement in the scandal.
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