Rev. Jesse Jackson's Flint Water Crisis Legacy Remembered

Flint residents reflect on the civil rights leader's emotional 2016 visit during the water crisis.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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After the death of Rev. Jesse Jackson at age 84, Flint residents are remembering his impactful 2016 visit during the Flint Water Crisis, when he called the city a 'crime scene' and demanded accountability from the government.

Why it matters

Jackson's visit and words provided validation and solidarity for Flint residents who felt ignored during the crisis, even though his actions did not immediately fix the pipes or settle the legal battles that followed.

The details

In January 2016, Jackson visited Flint and spoke at Heavenly Host Full Gospel Baptist Church, calling the city a 'disaster zone' and a 'crime scene' due to the water crisis. At the time, Flint had reconnected to Detroit's water system after 17 months of using the contaminated Flint River, which exposed residents to high lead levels and bacteria. Jackson urged President Obama to declare Flint a disaster area and demanded accountability from officials.

  • In January 2016, Jackson visited Flint during the water crisis.
  • Jackson died at the age of 84 in 2026.

The players

Rev. Jesse Jackson

A prominent civil rights leader who visited Flint during the water crisis and called the city a 'crime scene'.

Melissa Mays

A Flint activist who said Jackson helped lift up the city's voice and reminded residents they were on 'the right side of history'.

Karen Weaver

The former mayor of Flint who remembered Jackson's advice to 'always keep the people first'.

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What they’re saying

“This is a disaster zone, not just an emergency. Flint is a crime scene.”

— Rev. Jesse Jackson (wcrz.com)

“Jesse Jackson helped lift up Flint's voice and reminded residents they were on 'the right side of history'.”

— Melissa Mays, Activist (wcrz.com)

“Jackson's advice to 'always keep the people first'.”

— Karen Weaver, Former Mayor of Flint (wcrz.com)

The takeaway

While Jackson's words did not immediately fix the pipes or settle the legal battles in Flint, his visit and calls for accountability provided validation and solidarity for a community that felt ignored during the water crisis, reminding residents that their fight for justice mattered.