Mayor Karen Weaver brings Flint back into national spotlight at DNC

PHILADELPHIA – Flint Mayor Karen Weaver spoke to Democrats Wednesday night at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, bringing Flint back to the national spotlight and commanding attention to the country’s crumbling attention.

“Our infrastructure is broken, leaking and rusting away,” Weaver said. “Our local economy struggles to rebound, and there are many more Flints across the country where environmental issues are hurting our kids and families.”

Weaver took office after the April 2014 switch to the Flint River that led to water crisis. Hillary Clinton visited the city in February.

“Flint is also a city in crisis,” Weaver said. “Five years ago, our Republican state government used the Michigan law to take over control of the city. In 2014, the state switched our water source to a polluted river to save a handful of dollars causing lead contamination to leech into our drinking water poisoning a whole community and leading to health impacts our children for generations.”

Local 4's Devin Scillian caught up with Weaver after her speech and talked about the convention.