Also American
OppressionJune 2014

Detroit Conducts Mass Water Shutoffs Affecting Majority-Black Households

Detroit began mass water shutoffs in 2014, ultimately disconnecting over 25,000 households, predominantly Black, for non-payment. UN human rights experts called the shutoffs a violation of the human right to water. Baltimore similarly shut off water to tens of thousands of households. COVID-19 temporarily halted shutoffs but they resumed after relief ended.