The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan has filed a class-action lawsuit on behalf of Flint families dealing with the city's water crisis.
Rev. Juanitia Crump from Concerned Pastors for Social Action was by two Flint parents to announce details of the lawsuit at a press conference on Tuesday morning.
"All children can learn-but the ongoing water crisis in Flint creates urgent problems for Flint students, parents and teachers," ACLU of Michigan Executive Director Kary Moss said in a release. "Tens of thousands of families in Flint have been exposed to toxic lead in their drinking water.
"Given the permanent damage that lead can do to children, the water crisis can only exacerbate educational woes in Flint-where children are already being denied their right to a quality public education. That's why this legal action is necessary."
In all, there are 15 named plaintiffs and in the lawsuit. The defendants are the Michigan Department of Education, Flint Community Schools and the Genesee Intermediate School District.
Beginning in April 2014, nearly 30,000 Flint schoolchildren were exposed to high levels of lead at both home and school, according to a release.
"Lead levels in public school buildings operated by the Flint Community Schools, measured from October 2015 to January 2016, ranged from 61 parts per billion to over 2,800 parts per billion.
The plaintiffs are hoping the lawsuit will identify the academic and behavioral needs of all students, implement positive behavioral interventions and more.
Read the entire lawsuit below
ACLU of Michigan files class-action lawsuit over Flint water crisis by WXYZ-TV Channel 7 Detroit on Scribd
