Last night, Blackout for Human Rights’s Ryan Coogler (director of Creed and Fruitvale Station) and Ava DuVernay (director of Selma) held a free Oscars benefit night to help raise money for the people of Flint. The comedian Hannibal Buress hosted the evening, and other organizers and performers included Jesse Williams, Janelle Monáe, and Stevie Wonder.
While the night was star-studded, as Jamil Smith notes over at MTV, Coogler and others were “about as far away from a red carpet as one could imagine.” The event was for the city’s people and children who were poisoned by their government, and their voices featured prominently throughout the night; mothers, activists, doctors, and children all had a turn on stage to share their experiences.
These 4 courageous young men shared their painful stories of being poisoned. Brought me to tears. #JusticeForFlint pic.twitter.com/4F9vqWkgfM
— Michael Skolnik (@MichaelSkolnik) February 29, 2016
The event, which spread awareness through the hashtag #JusticeForFlint, raised well over the initial goal of $100,000.
No paid promotion. All word of mouth. $122k raised tonight for Flint recovery. Thank you to all 3022 activists who donated. #JusticeForFlint
— Ava DuVernay (@AVAETC) February 29, 2016
You can still donate by texting JUSTICE to 83224.