President Barack Obama visited Detroit Wednesday to commemorate the revival of the city's automobile industry during the North American International Auto Show. He also addressed the water crisis at Flint, Mich., since Michigan Governor Rick Snyder sought out federal help to solve their problem, as HNGN previously reported.
"If I was a parent in Flint, I'd be beside myself over my kids' health," Obama said during his talk, according to CNN. He was not able to go to Flint, but he did send administration and Department of Health and Human Services representative, Nicole Lurie, to work with the federal institutions there.
U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell said that Obama visited to see the exhibits by car institutions such as General Motors, Ford, and Fiat Chrysler.
"He's coming to see what those products are and see our city at the forefront of that next generation of technology," Dingell said, MLive Michigan reported.
"It's revolutionary, what's happening with autonomous vehicles... He's also looking at that technology and making sure that we're at the forefront and making sure that we're investing... to make sure that the United States stays in that driver's seat," she added.
However, Obama's visit was an opportunity to raise awareness, as members of the Detroit Federation of Teachers (DFT) rallied in front of Cobo Hall to get the president's attention regarding the situation of the city's public schools.
"As the city celebrates this 'ultra-luxury' automobile event, Detroit's public schools are in a state of crisis. Children are struggling in schools with hazardous environmental and safety issues," read the statement, entitled "North American International Auto Show to Highlight the Shameful Conditions in Our Schools," according to DFT's website.
"Educators have made significant sacrifices for the good of students, including taking pay cuts and reductions in health benefits," the statement added.
