“Creed” director Ryan Coogler, "Selma" Director Ava DuVernay, and other celebrities and activists say they will attend a benefit for residents affected by the town’s lead-contaminated water crisis this Sunday.
Comedian Hannibal Buress will host the free fundraiser, which will be held in Flint. They plan to raise money for Flint citzens via a text-to-donate promotion.
The Buress-hosted gathering, dubbed #JUSTICEFORFLINT, is open to the public and presented by Blackout for Human Rights, an activist collective founded by Coogler which is devoted to addressing human rights violations in the U.S.
For almost two years, Flint’s residents — many of whom are black and impoverished — have been subjected to massive lead and bacterial contamination in Genesee County’s water supply, and forced to avoid tap water.
[The event] will also be live-streamed via revolt.tv, and donations will be collected at the event and via text. Along with all the star power, organizers have also invited members of the Flint community to share their stories with the audience....
Though the event does coincide with the Academy Awards — which largely snubbed Creed in nominations and did the same with DuVernay’s Selma last year — Coogler said Feb. 28 was chosen because it fell on the final weekend of Black History Month, and that the date overlap was a coincidence.
Updates are available at the Blackout for Human Rights Facebook page.
