March held during 10-year anniversary of Flint Water Crisis

FLINT, Mich. (WNEM) – Thursday morning, April 25, dozens gathered at the People’s Church in Flint to march to Flint City Hall as a way to honor the work that’s been happening and recognize the work that still needs to be done.

The memories of the water crisis are still on tap for all of the residents TV5′s Zain Omair spoke with.

One woman said her grandchildren were afraid of coming and using the water. She said she experienced itching and rashes from washing her clothes and she had to use water jugs to take showers.

And while many changes and upgrades have been made to ensure safe water in Flint, other residents said they’ll forever struggle with trusting what comes out of their faucets.

“It’s been really rough because the water have dirt coming all around it, you’ve got all this bacteria and stuff in your toilet, in your face bowl. The water is not safe to drink, and if you drink, you break out in rashes all over your face and leg and itching and stuff. That’s what it’s like. That’s what it’s been like,” said Flint resident Earnestine Moore.

“You would be angry if you are seeing people die and you’re being charged. I was charged $88 a month, some people more, and all these years we’ve been charged for water we couldn’t drink. So, yeah, you say we’re angry. Of course we’re angry. That’s only human. We’re not crazy angry, but yeah, we’re upset this hasn’t been settled, and it’s been 10 years,” said Flint resident Yolanda Figueroa.

Another common theme during the march was a call for accountability since criminal charges in the Flint Water Crisis were dismissed.

Residents said despite the fact that they won’t see justice in court, they hope the impacts of the water crisis won’t be forgotten.

A solidarity forum was also held on Thursday at UAW Local 659.

Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley said they’ve made a great deal of progress over the past decade, but he understands the frustration from residents since he is one himself.

Neeley said some of the progress they’ve made includes the lead service pipe program, which is now winding down with less than 31 households left to service.

In addition, more than $146 million has gone into Flint’s water treatment facility, and the city has changed its back-up water source, so residents never have to worry about getting water from the Flint River ever again.

While they’ve come a long way since the crisis 10 years ago, both the mayor and residents want everyone to know the fight is still not over.

“Ten years. We have young people that have never had the opportunity to get and trust water that comes out of their tap,” Neeley said. “They’ve watched this and witnessed this and grew up in this environment, and we owe it to them to be able to reestablish, to rebuild, and work together for a greater outcome for us all and for our future,” Neeley said.

“I want to say, ‘Hold on. Hope is here. I know you’ve been having hope ever since. We are a resilient community but come on out and support and speak up for what you want. It’s very important to do that,’” said Virginia Nolan, a Flint resident and member of the National Clean Water Collective.

Neeley also said the city is now in compliance with the EPA standards, but he said to him, no amount of lead is safe in the water, so the city still recommends filtration. Residents can get free water filters at Flint City Hall.

As for the lead service pipe program, he expects that to be completed by the beginning of next month.

Subscribe to the TV5 newsletter and receive the latest local news and weather straight to your email every day.