Activists protesting Veolia, one holding a sign that reading Justice for Flint

Veolia settles Flint water crisis lawsuits

Dear Friend,

I’ve got big news to share: Veolia, the world’s largest private water corporation, has announced a $53 million settlement with Flint residents and the state of Michigan in lawsuits related to its role in the ongoing Flint water crisis.

For more than ten years, the people of Flint, Michigan have been dealing with the impacts of the city’s water crisis. And for ten years, the residents of Flint have been demanding justice in the face of a disaster they did nothing to cause.

Where does Veolia fit into the crisis? The corporation was hired to study Flint’s water system and told residents their water was safe despite privately acknowledging the potential for lead contamination -- all while chasing a contract to privatize the city’s water system.¹

The news of Veolia’s settlement demonstrates the power of people demanding justice. After all, giant corporations don’t just settle lawsuits for millions of dollars on a whim. However, $53 million doesn’t begin to cover the harm done to tens of thousands of Flint residents, nor does it hold Veolia legally accountable for putting its profits over people’s lives.

For years, together with our members and supporters like you, we’ve partnered with Flint Rising, a grassroots group that formed to push for justice in the face of the water crisis and provide direct support to their community. Together we’ve kept a spotlight on what’s happening in Flint, spread the word about the role corporate abuse has played in this crisis, and supported people on the ground in Flint organizing for justice.

And in the wake of the settlement, we’re continuing to partner with Flint Rising to make sure that people across the country don’t forget about the ongoing crisis in Flint, know about Veolia’s abysmal track record, and understand the danger of private water corporations coming to town.

Will you support Flint Rising in this important moment by donating today? All gifts made will be regranted in full to Flint Rising.

Support the folks in Flint pushing for water justice

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While together we’ve played an important role in ensuring this crisis has not been forgotten, it is the voices of people in Flint that should be centered in this discussion. So here’s what Nayyirah Shariff, the executive director of Flint Rising had to say about the settlement:

“Veolia is a massive corporation with virtually endless resources to keep fighting lawsuits. Flint residents are folks who are working, raising their families, and dealing with the long-term impacts of the water crisis. The fact that our community members could force Veolia to settle is a testament to their determination and the strength of their case. However, this settlement cannot undo Veolia’s abuses in Flint. We know Veolia will try to keep sweeping its abuses under the rug. But Flint has a history of standing up to giant corporations and winning despite great odds, and we’re determined to do it again.“

Thank you once again for all that you do. I hope you’ll support Flint Rising in this moment as we continue to come together in defense of the human right to water.

Onward,

Neil Gupta
Pronouns: he/him/his
Water Campaign Director
Corporate Accountability

Give to Flint Rising!

1. The Guardian: Revealed: water company and city officials knew about Flint poison risk

Corporate Accountability stops transnational corporations from devastating democracy, trampling human rights, and destroying our planet. We are building a world rooted in justice where corporations answer to people, not the other way around -- a world where every person has access to clean water, healthy food, a safe place to live, and the opportunity to reach their full human potential.

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