The room was packed with organizers, faith leaders, donors, and friends, all of whom have been involved in the struggle for water affordability, accessibility, and safety over the last 10 years. The full room was a testament to the amazing organizing the PWBC has done since its inception in 2013. There was delicious food, slushies, and longtime activist Maureen Taylor held it down as the MC. 

But the real star of the event was the documentary, which showed the devastating impact water injustice has on the most marginalized, while connecting the problems to the systemic forces that create the conditions. It demonstrated how six different regions throughout the country—Detroit, Navajo Country in California, coal country in West Virginia, corn country in Iowa, Philadelphia, and Lowndes County (Alabama)—all have water crises that stem from different sources, but with the shared experiences of residents organizing to get access to safe, affordable water. 

Here are DJJ leader Beth Goldstein's reflections on the event:

"I was so glad to have been able to attend the premiere of the documentary by Kate Levy, Whose Water, last weekend with others from DJJ and so many committed community organizers from Detroit who have been working tirelessly on improving both access and the affordability of water for Detroiters. Many of our partners (People's Water Board Coalition) and others, were in the film, which documents the relationship between structural racism (financial, environmental) and the inequitable access to water resources for our neighbors. The film also documented the struggles, experiences  and some of the successful advocacy and change that has occurred in other states.  I learned a lot and it inspired me to see the dedication of so many and the success that is possible where partners work together to move the needle on these critical human rights violations, one of which is the basic right to clean and affordable water.