FLINT, Mich. — President Barack Obama will visit Flint May 4 amid the city’s ongoing water crisis, the White House announced Wednesday.
The announcement was made in the form of a letter to Mari Copeny, an 8-year-old Flint girl who asked to meet the president.
“I know this is probably an odd request but I would love for a chance to meet you or your wife,” Copeny’s letter, which was shared by the White House, says.
President Obama replied that he wanted her “to be the first to know that I’m coming to visit Flint on May 4th.” He added, “I want to make sure people like you and your family are receiving the help you need and deserve.”
Flint used water from the Flint River for 18 months but it wasn’t treated to reduce corrosion. As a result, lead leached from old plumbing.
The Associated Press contributed to this report
