Creeddirector Ryan Coogler and Selmafilmmaker Ava DuVernay will appear at a free benefit helpingthose affected by thewater crisis in Flint, Michigan, scheduled to take place February 28th, hours before the Academy Awards,Buzzfeedreports.
Comedian Hannibal Buress will host the #JusticeForFlint event, which is being presented by Cooglers activist collective, Blackout for Human Rights. Janelle Mone is also set to appear, along with Greys Anatomy star Jesse Williams and Empires Jussie Smollett. Members of the Flint community, who have been subjected to water contaminated with lead and bacteriafor two years, have also been invited to share their stories.
The benefit will take place at Flints Whiting Auditoriumon February 28th at 5:30 p.m. ET, and will be livestreamed on Revolt.tv. Donations will be accepted on site and via text.
Though #JusticeForFlint is notably taking place the same day as the Oscars, Coogler said in a statement that the benefit was scheduled to coincide with the last weekendofBlack History month, and not meant to be a response to the Academys ongoingissueswithdiversity. Cooglers Creedwas among several snubbed films that many deemedOscar-worthywhen this years nomineeswere announced, as was DuVernays Selmalast year.
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With the #JusticeForFlint benefit event we will give a voice to the members of the community who were the victims of the choices of people in power who are paid to protect them, as well as provide them with a night of entertainment, unity, and emotional healing, Coogler said.
Residents of Flint, a predominately black and impoverished city, have been subjected to contaminated water since April 2014 when the city beganpulling water fromthe Flint River.The previous year, an unelected emergency manager had decided to cut ties with Detroits water authority and switch to a cheaper water district. But because apipeline hadnt yet been built, the manager decided to start drawing free water from the Flint River, which had long been tainted by farm runoff, sewage and decades of industrial waste.
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