NAACP Calls for Establishment of Community Advisory Council in Jackson Water Crisis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 27, 2024

Contact: Alicia Mercedes, amercedes@naacpnet.org

WASHINGTON — Today, NAACP National along with the Mississippi State Conference of the NAACP and the Jackson Branch of the NAACP sent a letter to requesting the the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and to JXN Water, Inc. to establish a Community Advisory Council to accomplish the appropriate consultation from the residents of Jackson, MS regarding the city's water crisis. The letter comes after growing concerns on the lack of transparency and community engagement from JXN Water, Inc.

The letter details how JXN Water Inc.'s Third-Party Administrator, Ted Henifin, is complicit in decision-making with the Mississippi State Legislature regarding ownership changes to Jackson's water without engaging in a public forum or addressing the concerns of Jackson's elected officials during the process.

Abre' Conner, NAACP Director of Environmental and Climate Justice shared the following statement:

"We at the NAACP understand the dire situation underway in Jackson, as we have been at the forefront of continued crisis response.  From town halls to community water distribution activations, we've seen the impact and heard firsthand stories from residents. To be clear, there is no resolution without direct involvement from the Jackson community. We are advocating for JXN Water to implement meaningful involvement from impacted residents in order to prioritize public wellbeing through oversight by the EPA. The NAACP stands firmly alongside our grassroots advocates on the ground in Mississippi as we work toward equitable resolutions and tangible results."

Excerpts from the letter include:

• "…writing to you on behalf of the residents of Jackson, Mississippi, and our organizations to express our ongoing deep concerns with the lack of transparency in the administration of JXN Water to the detriment of the people of Jackson."
• "We now call for the establishment of a Community Advisory Council as a key means to accomplish the appropriate consultation."
• "…Jackson residents have been largely excluded from considerations around outreach, jobs, and the future of Jackson's water."
• "We demand that those considerations around future water system governance be part of the community consultations…"

The NAACP continues to stand with our Mississippi State Conference and the Jackson Branch as they navigate the difficulties of this ongoing environmental crisis. We thank the EPA for their active commitment to ensuring safe water for all residents of Jackson and look forward to a prompt response to create a more equitable path forward.

For more information on our work in the Jackson Water Crisis, visit our website.

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The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF - was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.