EmbeddingGemma 2: an open, lightweight multimodal embedding model
deepmind.google·6d ago
AI Engineering
Hacker News·Sep 7·5 min read
No constitutional right to clean water, federal court finds
TL;DR
A federal court ruled that there is no constitutional right to clean drinking water, dismissing a lawsuit from Jackson, Mississippi residents over lead contamination. The court found that the deprivation of clean water does not infringe on any deeply rooted constitutional rights.
✦ Why It Matters
Consider advocating for local policies that ensure safe drinking water access in your community.
Key Takeaways
- Understand the legal landscape regarding water rights in your state.
- Engage in local governance to advocate for safe water policies.
- Stay informed about public health issues in your community.
- Support organizations working towards environmental justice and clean water access.
Full Summary
In a recent ruling, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed a lawsuit filed by residents of Jackson, Mississippi, who claimed their constitutional right to clean drinking water was violated due to lead contamination. The plaintiffs argued that the city knowingly allowed unsafe water and provided false assurances about its safety.
Judge Kurt Engelhardt stated that while the situation was serious, it did not constitute a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment's Due Process Clause, which protects bodily integrity. He emphasized that the right to clean water is not explicitly guaranteed by the U.S.
Constitution or the Mississippi state Constitution. Instead, he suggested that residents seek change through political means, such as electing better representatives.
This ruling highlights the lack of legal protections for access to safe drinking water in many states, despite some states having enacted laws to safeguard this right.