8 Year Old in Flint Asks Pres. Obama if She Could Meet Him. He’s Flying to See Her Next Week.

‘Little Miss Flint’ Is ‘One of the Children That Is Effected by This Water’ and She’s ‘Speaking Out for All the Kids That Live Here in Flint’

An 8-year old girl who’s become an clean water activist wrote President Barack Obama, asking if she could meet him or the First Lady. The President responded. He’ll be flying to Flint, Michigan next week to fulfill her request.

“Hello my name is Mari Copeny and I’m 8 years old, I live in Flint, Michigan and I’m more commonly known around town as ‘Little Miss Flint,'” Mari’s letter reads. “I am one of the children that is effected by this water, and I’ve been doing my best to march in protest and to speak out for all the kids that live here in Flint.”

She explained she would be traveling to Washington, D.C. to see her governor, Rick Snyder, testify before Congress, which he did last month. 

“I know this is probably an odd request but I would love for a chance to meet you or your wife. My mom said chances are you will be too busy with more important things, but there is a lot of people coming on these buses and even just a meeting from you or your wife would really lift people’s spirits. Thank you for all that do for our country.”

President Obama responded this week, with a letter on official White House stationery. It reads:

Dear Mari:

Thank you for writing to me. You’re right that Presidents are often busy, but the truth is, in America, there is no more important title than citizen. And I am so proud of you for using your voice to speak out on behalf of the children of Flint.

That’s why I want you to be the first to know that I’m coming to visit Flint on May 4th. I want to make sure people like you and your family are receiving the help you need and deserve. Like you, I’ll use my voice to call for change and help lift up your community.

Letters from kids like you are what make me so optimistic for the future. I hope to meet you next week, “Little Miss Flint.”

Sincerely,
Barack Obama

The White House posted the letter to Medium:

What should not be lost is that Flint is in crisis, and its drinking water crisis has not been fixed, residents, including 9000 children, are still at risk of being poisoned, and no doubt still are. 

Last week Senate Republicans voted down a bill that would have provided funding to help Flint fix this most essential of needs. 

 

Hat tip: Politicus USA