Several Protest DTE's Shut-off Policy

DETROIT - Thousands marched Tuesday to Cobo Center for the U.S. Social Forum's opening ceremonies. The activists filed down Woodward to gather at Cobo for a week-long conference on ways to promote diversity and social equality. That same group participated in a protest against DTE Energy.

They came from as far away as Saskatchewan and Nashville, Tennessee carrying coffins and messages of protest. Thousands of activists gathered outside of DTE Headquarters in Detroit on Tuesday eager to make a point.

"We're talking about our elderly going without utilities. We're talking about our babies going without (utilities). Something has to change. These should be basic human rights," said Cheri Honkala.

Organizers from Michigan Welfare Rights claimed that 18 deaths over the winter in metro Detroit were the direct result of utility shut-offs by DTE.

Loretta Stafford was asked what Michigan Welfare Rights hoped to accomplish. She responded, "Fairness for all people regardless of who they are." Stafford added, "The rates are entirely too high and they're (steadily) going up."

For their part, DTE says that they're doing everything they can to increase outreach efforts to assist seniors and low income customers to help them setup payment plans they can handle.

"We know that it's tough for some people to pay their bills, that they're struggling to make ends meet. There are a lot of programs that are out there and available to customers, and we can't encourage them strongly enough to call us and give us the opportunity to help," said DTE Energy Spokesperson Len Singer.

"I stand on the shoulders of people who have protested in the past, but what we need right now is action that goes directly to helping people who have their lights cut-off. I work with DTE Energy and they have policy initiatives where they're trying to get a lower rate for low income customers. They also have a policy initiative where they're trying to get a pre-qualified benefit, which means that anybody that's receiving any kind of public assistance would also automatically get a payment for their utilities," said Rev. Bertram Marks, an attorney for The Council of Baptist Pastors.

At this point in time, DTE tells us that there are thousands of metro Detroit residents who are working on payment plans and also facing shut-offs. If you or someone you know is having trouble paying DTE bills, call 1-800-477-4747.