Dear John,
Seventeen years after Hurricane Katrina and one year after Hurricane Ida devastated communities along the Gulf Coast, 150,000 residents of Jackson, MS — a majority Black city — are once again the victims of a health and environmental crisis that could have been avoided.
Four days ago, Jackson’s water treatment plant, which has had a long history of problems, finally failed. Since then, residents of Jackson and their families have been forced to go without running water.
When they do see water come out of their faucets, it is discolored. They are being told by authorities not to drink it, and if they do shower with it, to do so with their mouths closed. And officials have said it's unclear when they will once again have safe access to water.
Water is life. Without it, Jacksonians will not only suffer grave health consequences but also significant economic impacts in what is a chronically under-funded community, with schools and businesses being forced to close or spend their own resources to bring water to Mississippians in need.
This didn’t happen overnight. This is the result of a public policy failure and decades-long neglect. We've seen the same kind of government divestment and neglect play out before in cities like Flint, MI and Newark, NJ.
In times of crisis, it's on all of us to pitch in in whatever ways we are able. It's the idea of community caring for community, no matter how geographically close we may or may not be.
If you're able to volunteer in person or virtually to help residents of Jackson, Mississippi, fill out this form and someone will get back to you: https://wfpus.org/volunteerjackson
Volunteer to help Jackson residents
If you're able to donate, consider donating to the Mississippi Rapid Response Water Fund.
Donate to the MS Rapid Response Water Fund
In solidarity,
All of us at Working Families Party
