Ecological Wisdom * Social Justice * Grassroots Democracy * Non-Violence
>> Green Party of Michigan <<
>>> ---------------- <<<
>>> News Release <<<
>>> ---------------- <<<
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
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May 4, 2003
For More Information Contact:
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Marc Reichardt -- Party Chair/Treasurer, GPMI
phone: 734-668-9628
e-mail: press@migreens.org
Priscilla Dziubek -- Detroit Greens * Sweetwater Alliance Detroit
phone: 313-942-4998
e-mail: peekd@lppals.com
>>> GPMI Backs Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation <<<
>>> =================================================== <<<
> Circuit Court Opens Hearing Monday in Big Rapids <
> in MCWC Lawsuit against Nestlé/Perrier/Ice Mountain <
> <
> Greens Call on Granholm to Stop "Theft" of Michigan Water <
The Green Party of Michigan (GPMI) is renewing its support
for Michigan Citizens for Water Conservation (MCWC) as that group
takes its fight to keep Michigan water from being extracted and
bottled by the Nestle/Perrier conglomerate to a long-delayed court
hearing tomorrow in Big Rapids.
GPMI is also calling on Governor Jennifer Granholm to act
immediately on her campaign promises -- and the legal position
she took as Attorney General -- and stop the theft of Michigan
water by Perrier.
Mecosta County Circuit Court Judge Lawrence Root will hold the
opening court date for MCWC's suit against Nestlé/Perrier/Ice
Mountain on Monday, May 5 in Room 101 of the county courthouse (at
400 Elm Street in Big Rapids.
Ice Mountain -- a subsidiary of Nestlé, and formerly in the
conglomerate's Perrier Group until Nestlé Waters North America
was reorganized into domestic and international divisions -- is
diverting water from the Great Lakes and selling it for profit.
The state has allowed this abduction of our natural resources --
and it gets no monetary return. Meanwhile, the surrounding
Mecosta County community is being forced to cope with the
aftereffects of groundwater/aquifer loss.
Former Governor John Engler granted the corporation a state
permit to pilfer the water for its own use. As Attorney General,
Granholm described this theft as "export and diversion" of Great
Lakes water and subject to wider approval than a state permit.
However, as governor, Granholm has failed to take any action on
this subject.
She could, literally with one stroke of her pen, end the
thievery and return the Great Lakes drinking water to its
rightful owners -- the people of the state of Michigan.
"The privatization of water is a growing problem in the world --
a threat -- and one that Greens are determined to point out and
oppose," said GPMI chair Marc Reichardt. "Nestlé/Perrier's taking
of water from the Lake Michigan aquifer will likely cause severe
environmental harm to wetlands and streams and the loss of private
and public wells -- as has been noted in other states victimized by
the corporation, such as Texas and Florida.
"But even if there were no environmental impact, the fact is that
Nestlé/Perrier/Ice Mountain is receiving tax abatements and savings
which essentially mean the people of Michigan are paying the company
to take our water. This -- at a time when Michigan is in the midst
of a severe budget crisis -- is a crime in and of itself."
Many voters voted for Granholm because of her strong campaign
statements that promised to protect the Great Lakes. Added Green
Party member and attorney Patricia L. Smith, "While a favorable
court decision will ultimately be helpful, an executive order is
a must due to the urgency of the situation. Governor Granholm
must keep her campaign promises and stop this larceny now."
GPMI (www.migreens.org) is working with MCWC (www.savemiwater.org)
and the Sweetwater Alliance (www.waterissweet.org) on the campaign
to stop Nestlé/Perrier/Ice Mountain from pumping profits out of the
Great Lakes at its Mecosta County bottling plant. The party has also
been consulting with Save Our Springs (www.saveourspringsinc.org), a
national organization that has helped communities mobilize to resist
the theft of water by multinational corporations like Nestlé.
# # #
NOTE:
----
In addition to the Internet references listed above, you can also find
a statement on the broad issue of water privatization on the Web site
of the national Green Party of the United States:
http://www.gpus.org/press/pr_04_29_03.html
# # #
Green Party of Michigan * 548 S. Main Street *
* Ann Arbor, MI 48104 * 734-663-3555
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The Green Party of Michigan was formed in 1987 to address environmental
issues in Michigan politics. There are Greens organized in all 50 states
and the District of Columbia. Each state Green Party sets its own goals
and creates its own structure, but US Greens agree on Ten Key Values:
Ecological Wisdom * Grassroots Democracy
Social Justice * Nonviolence
Community Economics * Decentralization
Feminism * Respect for Diversity
Personal and Global * Future Focus/
Responsibility Sustainability
created/distributed using donated labor
Other Contacts:
Green Party of Michigan
548 S Main St
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734-663-3555
info@migreens.org
page last modified 8 May 2003