Flint faith leaders endorse Hillary Clinton
ELKO, Nevada Three ministers from Flint, Michigan endorsed Hillary Clinton on Monday, citing her commitment to helping the city overcome it's debilitating water crisis.
Clinton traveled to Flint earlier this month, two days ahead of the New Hampshire primary, where she pledged to "keep the spotlight bright" on the city's needs.
"I thank God for Hillary Clinton's recent visit to Flint, Michigan," said Rev. Al Harris in a statement shared by the Clinton campaign. "She didn't use the 'water crisis' as a platform to further her political agenda. I was overwhelmed by her sincere love and compassion for the people of Flint, as she pledged her full support in doing everything it takes to make our fractured community whole."
Harris was joined by Rev. Hubert Miller and Bishop Roger L. Jones Sr., in offering his endorsement to Clinton.
Clinton has also encouraged her supporters to donate to the Flint Child Health and Development Fund. In a fundraising email sent Sunday, Clinton included a link to FlintKids.org, instead of her own website.
"What happened in Flint is the cruelest kind of indifference, and an affront to what we stand for as a nation," the email read. "Clean water is not optional, and it's not a luxury. It's a basic human right."
Clinton's opponent in the race for the Democratic nomination, Bernie Sanders, has also condemned the inaction of state officials as Flint residents complained of smelly, discolored water and health issues, and he has called on Governor Rick Snyder to resign. On the campaign trail, Sanders emphasizes that Flint is just one city coping with old, deteriorating water systems.
"In 2016 it is unimaginable that thousands, perhaps millions, of Americans are facing a scenario where the water coming from their home faucet is hazardous to their health," Sanders wrote in an op-ed co-authored with activist Erin Brockovich and published in the Detroit Free Press on Sunday. "This is unacceptable and we must act decisively."
But the ministers who endorsed Clinton on Monday noted that Clinton is the only candidate to make a visit to Flint.
"No other candidates have shown their presence during this entire water crisis that we are facing," said Jones. "She vowed to help our people and not turn her back on us nor forget about us."
Sanders is scheduled to make two campaign stops in Michigan on Monday in Ypsilanti, home of Eastern Michigan University, and Dearborn, where he will rally with union members.