Monday Protest Focuses On Failing Condition Of DPS, Flint Water Crisis

DETROIT (WWJ) - Metro Detroiters came together to protest some of Governor Rick Snyder's policies, with Malik Shabazz leading a demonstration Monday as the governor spoke at the Pancakes and Politics event at the Detroit Athletic Club.

"Everybody who has been hurt, the police have been hurt, unions have been decimated - the 'Right To Work' for less - everyone has been hurt - welfare mothers, voters - so everyone is invited -- not to mention the 103,000 people poisoned and still no new pipes," said Shabazz.

Protesters voiced their concerns about a multitude of issues from the Flint water crisis to the failing condition of the Detroit Public School system.

"You can build a bridge over troubled water to Canada without the approval of your state legislature," he said. "This governor going around the state legislature to do this with Canada but won't put new pipes in for Flint. Man, I must be losing my mind ... I must be, that we are not out in the streets."

Over that past year teachers have been using "rolling sick-outs" as a way of protest.

The Detroit Federation of Teachers is the official bargaining unit for district teachers and has said it does not condone the actions of educators involved in the sick-outs. The sick-outs initially affected only a few schools, but on Jan. 11 more than 60 schools were closed because not enough teachers showed up for work.