Protests denounce utility shutoff deaths

WW photo: Bryan G. Pfeifer

DTE Energy is responsible for the deaths of Travion Young, age 5; Salena, 3; and Fantasia, 4. That’s what hundreds of community activists said at a noisy protest outside the utility monopoly’s headquarters in downtown Detroit on March 4.

The three children were killed March 2 in a house fire after DTE earlier that day had disconnected their home’s gas and electricity. Four of their siblings survived the blaze, which was caused by a faulty space heater given to the family by their landlord. The electrical hookup had been “illegally” reconnected in order to try to provide the family with warmth.

“Heat and lights are human rights!” and “Corporate killers!” chanted the protesters, who were outraged that Detroit Mayor Dave Bing has not uttered one word on the tragic fire and DTE’s role in the children’s deaths.

Organizers with the Moratorium NOW! Coalition to Stop Foreclosures, Evictions and Utility Shutoffs are demanding the declaration of a state of emergency in Detroit and throughout Michigan and implementation of an immediate halt to all shutoffs and evictions. The Michigan Welfare Rights Organization has been organizing weekly protests outside DTE’s corporate offices. The utility giant cut off service to more than 200,000 homes in metropolitan Detroit in 2009.