29 Nov Mississippi Center for Justice Applauds Department of Justice for Lawsuit Against Jackson Over Mishandling Water Crisis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 29, 2022
Contact: Nikita Sibley, comms-mcj@rabengroup.com, 850-345-7092

Mississippi Center for Justice Applauds Department of Justice for Lawsuit Against Jackson Over Mishandling Water Crisis

Jackson, MS— Today, the Department of Justice has filed suit against the City of Jackson, alleging violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. Under the proposed order filed by the DOJ, a third party would operate and maintain the Jackson, Mississippi water system.

Vangela M. Wade, President and CEO of the Mississippi Center for Justice, released the following statement:

“Today’s announcement by the Department of Justice is an important and necessary move to ensure that residents of Jackson and surrounding communities have access to safe drinking water – a vital necessity for all communities to thrive. Unfortunately, the deplorable and unsafe condition of Jackson’s water system didn’t happen overnight but stems from the state of Mississippi’s decades of neglect and the intentional disinvestment of resources for the majority-Black municipality.”  

“While we praise the Biden Administration and the Department of Justice for today’s suit, we also recognize that this is only the beginning of achieving justice for the residents of Jackson. We urge state and local lawmakers in Mississippi to do right by each and every resident of this state regardless of race, economic, or social standing.”

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The Mississippi Center for Justice is dedicated to dismantling the state’s culture of inequity and injustice. Supported and staffed by attorneys and other professionals, the Center pursues strategies to combat discrimination and poverty statewide.