People from Flint interrupted a state legislative session Wednesday to demand clean drinking water.
They’re upset with the recent decision by Governor Rick Snyder’s administration to stop distributing free bottled water in the city. During House session, people started to chant, “Do your job, open the PODs” – that’s Point of Delivery for bottled water distribution. The group then walked down the stairs and out of the Capitol while chanting. One person was temporarily detained. He says he isn’t facing any charges.
“Today they heard us on our voice and our terms. And that’s a very powerful thing,” said Flint resident and leader with the activity group Michigan United, Anthony Paciorek.
Governor Rick Snyder said Flint’s tap water has been tested and it’s satisfied the water is safe to use. But residents say they still don’t trust the water. Or the government.
Claire McClinton lives in Flint and helped organize the event. She said they are not going to let the state forget about Flint.
“For them to put a narrative out there and telegraph a message to the world that everything is fine, it’s hunky dory,” she said. “What they’re saying to us is that, we’re done with Flint.”
Organizers say they will continue to mobilize and protest until all the lead pipes in Flint are replaced.
