You’ve reached the activism portion of today’s show. Now that you’re informed and angry, here’s what you can do about it. Today’s activism: Restore CDC Funding to Prevent Lead Poisoning.

Michigan Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence has called for Governor Snyder will to appear under subpoena before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee next month to answer for the water crisis in Flint. Snyder is denying his office received anything, but they did release more than 270 pages of emails related to the toxic water and he finally apologized this week to the people of Flint for poisoning their water with lead.

“I’m sorry, and I will fix it,” he said, before spreading the blame around with, "No citizen of this great state should endure this kind of catastrophe. Government failed you — federal, state and local leaders — by breaking the trust you place in us.”

GOP Leadership is resisting issuing the subpoena, but activists and organizations are continuing to push for accountability.

Color of Change is using the Flint water crisis to remind us and our elected officials that Flint is far from the only community dealing with this issue. In a petition at ColorOfChange.org titled "Tell the US government to restore funding for the Center for Disease Control Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention program in the Fiscal Year 2017 budget” they point out this widespread problem.

From the petition:

"Across the US, predominantly Black and low-income communities are at dire risk of severe health problems caused by lead poisoning. Despite this, federal funding for the CDC’s Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Program has been reduced by more than half. It’s unacceptable: the federal government needs to take action to ensure that Black and low-income communities are protected from environmental hazards that negatively affect their health and livelihoods.”

Congress is working on this budget right now, making this the time for action. We have the money; as usual, it is simply a matter of priorities. Sign and share the petition at ColorOfChange.org and let your representatives know that safe drinking water should be the highest priority.

TAKE ACTION:

SIGN and share: "Tell the US government to restore funding for the Center for Disease Control Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention program in the Fiscal Year 2017 budget.” via ColorOfChange.org

Sources/further reading:

"Michigan Governor Rick Snyder To Be Called Before Congress” via The New Civil Rights Movement

"Snyder hasn’t been invited to testify before Congress” via Detroit news

"Gov. Rick Snyder of Michigan Apologizes in Flint Water Crisis” via The New York Times

"Flint water crisis: EPA regional administrator resigns” via CNN.com

"Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder Releases Emails Tied to Flint Water Crisis” via ABC News

Hear the segment in context:

Episode #985 "A conservative policy showcase (Flint’s poisoned water)"

Written by BOTL social media/activism director Katie Klabusich