TomMorello.jpg

Guitarist and activist Tom Morello appears eager to fight against water shut-offs in Detroit.

(Associated Press)

DETROIT, MI - Rock guitarist Tom Morello, known for his work with the band Rage Against the Machine, appears ready to enlist in the fight against water shut-offs in Detroit.

Morello, 50, tweeted this week details about a "nurses-sponsored march" organized by a group Netroots Nation that he claims is planned for 12:30 p.m. July 18 at Cobo Center.

Morello's exact message can be seen below; it's unclear if he'll actually be in Detroit for the demonstration.

The water situation is a controversial one due to Detroit's shaky financial situation and bankruptcy case that could end up being resolved in court by fall.

Activists have organized emergency water delivery services and city officials announced Monday an $800,000 aid program for low-income customers after thousands of water shut-off were executed in recent months.

Detroit Water and Sewerage Department officials said last month the shut-offs are being executed gradually because of customers' nonpayment of bills.

A group established last month called the Detroit Water Brigade said Monday over 300 donations of bottled water, supplies and money have come in from around the country to help customers without water.

A panel of United Nations experts last week called the water cutoff policy a violation of international human rights.

With about 90,000 city residents and businesses behind on their water bills, the water department began more aggressively collecting debt in late March, DWSD spokesman Gregory Eno told MLive.com.

In May, about 46,000 notices were delivered to non-paying customers and water was cut off to about 4,500 of them, he said.

Shutoffs and reconnection of water services are taking place every day, Eno said.

The latest number of homes cut off from water was 4,400 in late June, although some of those were abandoned houses.

Eno told MLive.com that 50-60 percent of the homes that have been cut off had their water restored within 48 hours after arranging a payment plan.

For more information on bill assistance through the Detroit Residential Water Assistance Program, call 1-877-646-2831 or click here.

For more on the Detroit Water Brigade's efforts, call 1-844-42-WATER or click here.

The group has distribution hubs established at Moon Ministry Church, 24 Avalon St. in Highland Park and at the Dexter Elmhurst Center, 11825 Dexter Ave. on Detroit's west side.