BAMN protests Detroit schools lead levels

DETROIT (WJBK) - More families in Detroit getting concerned about the level of lead in the water at Detroit Public Schools. Now, they're asking for transparency from officials.

The Detroit Public School district has been testing water at all of its building for several months. In April, 19 of the 62 schools tested at that time had elevated levels of lead or copper.

Protesters from The Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, Integration, & Immigrant Rights, and Fight for Equality By Any Means Necessary (BAMN) chanted and held signs outside of Detroit's Bow Elementary. The signs included the slogan "no amount of lead is safe" - a clear statement of their demands.

"Do basic things like make sure we that don't that we don't have lead poisoning an entire city of children." Organizer Kate Stenvig said.

The school is one of 19 schools in the city that has tested positive for elevated levels. That startled some parents but it was even worse at a different school.

At Ronald Brown Academy, levels were more than 100 times what's considered safe.

"We're demanding that this get fixed  right away. that every single student in DPS get tested for lead and copper."

Many Detroit parents tell FOX 2 that they're getting their children tested. But they say the schools should be offering the testing. Considering what happened in Flint, they don't want it to happen to their children.

"Lead causes brain damage like we've seen what happens in Flint. This is the same policy of Snyder."

Officials with DPS reminds parents and protesters that there is not a law that requires schools test for lead. A spokesman for Snyder has said they're working on changing that.

BAMN will hold a public meeting to talk about the issue on Tuesday, May 17 at 8850 Woodward.