June 2014
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 in the 2010s, with Black neighborhoods most affected. In both cities, water rate increases were driven by decades of deferred infrastructure maintenance and privatization pressures. COVID-19 temporarily halted shutoffs under federal law, but they resumed after relief ended. The shutoffs concentrated in communities that had faced disinvestment, were less able to afford rate increases, and had the least political power to resist.
New York City settled with the Central Park Five — Korey Wise, Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Raymond Santana, and Yusef Salaam — for approximately $41 million on June 19, 2014. The five Black and Latino teenagers had been wrongfully convicted in 1990 of the rape of a jogger in Central Park following coerced confessions extracted during interrogations lasting up to 30 hours without their parents present. They served 6–13 years before being exonerated in 2002 when the actual perpetrator, Matias Reyes, confessed and DNA evidence confirmed. Donald Trump had taken out full-page newspaper ads calling for their execution in 1989.
Events
- June 19, 2014Central Park Five Receive $41 Million Settlement From New York City
New York City settled with the Central Park Five — Korey Wise, Kevin Richardson, Antron McCray, Raymond Santana, and Yusef Salaam — for approximately $41 million on June 19, 2014. The five Black and Latino teenagers had been wrongfully convicted in 1990 of the rape of a jogger in Central Park following coerced confessions extracted during interrogations lasting up to 30 hours without their parents present. They served 6–13 years before being exonerated in 2002 when the actual perpetrator, Matias Reyes, confessed and DNA evidence confirmed. Donald Trump had taken out full-page newspaper ads calling for their execution in 1989.
- June 2014Detroit and Baltimore Conduct 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 in the 2010s, with Black neighborhoods most affected. In both cities, water rate increases were driven by decades of deferred infrastructure maintenance and privatization pressures. COVID-19 temporarily halted shutoffs under federal law, but they resumed after relief ended. The shutoffs concentrated in communities that had faced disinvestment, were less able to afford rate increases, and had the least political power to resist.
- June 2014Detroit and Baltimore Conduct 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.
- June 2014Detroit 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.