As Flint’s mayor, I have always put our community first, working to secure a brighter future for all our residents. Today, Vice President Kamala Harris is visiting Flint, and I am asking you to join me in supporting her for candidacy president of the United States. Harris has a vision for America that aligns with the values and needs of our nation. She is committed to policies that will foster growth, uplift working families and ensure justice for all. Her leadership represents a future where we not only recovers from the hardships of the past but thrives in the years to come.
As the father of two daughters, I know how critical it is to protect women’s rights. Health care, bodily autonomy and the freedom to make personal choices are cornerstones of our democracy. Harris has consistently shown that she will stand firm in defending these rights. She will be a champion for women, ensuring their freedoms are respected and protected under the law.
As the co-chair of the Michigan Black Mayors Association, I also believe that Kamala Harris’ platform for rebuilding the middle class will have a transformative impact on Flint.
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Kamala Harris will work to lift Flint families out of poverty
One policy I applaud is her proposal for a $6,000 tax credit for families with infants. This initiative is modeled after Flint's own Rx Kids program, which we proudly supported through federal American Rescue Plan Act funding. This program is a critical step toward closing health disparity gaps and lifting our families out of poverty. Harris has the foresight to scale this nationally, creating opportunities for all working-class families.
As a former union president, I know how vital good-paying jobs and economic security are to our community. Flint holds a special place in the history of the American labor movement — our city was the birthplace of the middle class, forged in the struggle of the Flint Sit-Down Strike and the rise of the United Auto Workers.
While deindustrialization dealt our community a heavy blow, we now have an opportunity to reclaim our role in America’s economic future. Kamala Harris has shown strong leadership on this front, helping to create policies that will bring jobs back to urban areas by reactivating brownfields, restoring our environment and fostering new economic opportunities.
Kamala Harris is committed to fighting injustice
As a Black man, husband, father and leader in this community, I’ve witnessed social injustice firsthand. For too long, bad actors have sought to divide our country, pitting neighbor against neighbor. Kamala Harris is committed to uniting us, fighting for equality and making the smart, compassionate choices needed to bring justice to every corner of America.
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Her work as a former prosecutor and her role as vice president demonstrate her dedication to lifting up marginalized communities and ensuring that all Americans, regardless of race or background, are treated fairly and justly. The challenges we face in Flint and across this country are immense, but with the right leadership, we can overcome them.
That’s why I’m standing with Kamala Harris, and I urge all of you to listen to her message, hear her vision and consider what she can do for you and for America. Together, we can build better, stronger cities, and a more united nation.
Sheldon A. Neeley
The writer is the mayor of Flint
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Letters: I'm the mayor of Flint. I believe Kamala Harris will help our city.
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