Clinton: ‘No acceptable’ level of lead for kids

“I know this is going to take time and it’s not going to be easy”, she said.

The former secretary of state started speaking out on the Flint water crisis several weeks ago, releasing statements and calling it a “civil rights issue” on the campaign trail.

HILLARY CLINTON: What happened in Flint is immoral.

It was an unusual stop for a candidate trailing in polls against rival Bernie Sanders in the first primary state.

“We’ve been struggling so long in the Flint area and to see somebody like her to come in and actually want to help our city it’s just tremendous” said longtime Flint resident, Pat Cavette. She’s frequently pointed to the crisis of lead-poisoned water in the city as an example of racial and economic injustice, an issue that resonates among Democrats but particularly with African-American voters. After Flint changed its water source from treated Detroit Water and Sewerage Department water (sourced from Lake Huron as well as the Detroit River) to the Flint River, its drinking water had a series of problems culminating with lead contamination, creating a serious public health danger.

Last year, MI state officials brushed off warnings of higher rates of lead poisoning and Legionnaires’ disease, according to media reports.

Clinton has been criticized, namely by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, for politicizing the water crisis.

Cavette hopes Clinton will keep her commitment to help the city until they are lead free.

Clinton said part of the overarching concern is to fix the trust she argued that has been broken with people.

On Sunday, Clinton described meeting a child affected by the water crisis here.

“The governor of that state acted as though he didn’t really care”, she said.

Pastor Kenneth Stewart told the crowd, which greeted Clinton enthusiastically, that America will “give birth to a president” in nine months.

“That includes fixing their pipes, it includes guaranteeing whatever healthcare and educational embellishments they may need going forward”, she added.

Also invited are Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, director of the pediatric residency program at Hurley Medical Center, Bilal Kareem Tawwab, Superintendent for Flint School District, Dr. Yanna Lambrinidou, president for Parents for Nontoxic Alternatives and Dr. Eric Scorsone, associate professor & founding director of the Michigan State University Extension Center for State and Local Government Policy. “I wish I were here only to celebrate the good things that are happening in this church and in this community”, she said.

The Democratic National Committee announced Sunday morning that CNN would air the Flint debate.