FLINT, Mich. – A protest planned for Friday night over the Flint water crisis had a larger turnout than anticipated in the wake of new developments.
Governor Rick Snyder declared a state of emergency for Genesee County on Tuesday due to the ongoing health and safety issues caused by high levels of lead in the city of Flint’s drinking water. That same day the U.S. Attorney’s Office said it is investigating the intervention, or lack of intervention.
Through a Freedom of Information request with the state, NBC News uncovered emails from the governor’s then chief of staff Dennis Muchmore, who told a State Health Department official last July there was trouble lurking behind the Flint inaction:
“I'm frustrated by the water issue in Flint, I really don't think people are getting the benefit of the doubt. Now they are concerned and rightfully so about the lead level studies they are receiving, these folks are scared and worried about the health impacts and they are basically getting blown off by us (as a state we're just not sympathizing with their plight)."
Protesters gathered in Flint calling for Gov. Snyder’s arrest and action by the state.
Many of the protesters are not from Flint and have not had to deal with the lead in the water, but came to show solidarity.
“Even with the filters, I do not trust that water,” said Quincy Murphy, a Flint resident.