You won't see Ryan Coogler or Ava DuVernay at the Oscars this year.
The directors, along with a slew of other artists like Janelle Monae and Jesse Williams, will instead be at a free event in Flint, Michigan, which is currently dealing with a harrowing water crisis. BuzzFeed reported the news.
The event, titled #JUSTICEFORFLINT, is open to the public and will raise awareness for residents hit by the crisis. It will be hosted by comedian Hannibal Buress and presented by activist collective Blackout for Human Rights, which Coogler, DuVernay and Williams are all a part of.
[seealso slug="flint-water-crisis"]
LIVE FROM FLINT. LIVE FOR FLINT: @UnitedBlackout Squad & Your Traveling Family Present #JUSTICEFORFLINT NOW. https://t.co/ULWo21E5ZK— jesseWilliams. (@iJesseWilliams) February 23, 2016
The event will also be livestreamed on Revolt, and viewers will be able to donate at the event and via text.
“With the #JUSTICEFORFLINT benefit event we will give a voice to the members of the community who were the victims of the choices of people in power who are paid to protect them, as well as provide them with a night of entertainment, unity, and emotional healing,” Ryan Coogler told BuzzFeed News.