Michael Moore Calls for Gov. Snyder’s Arrest in Flint Water Controversy

The Flint water crisis is getting national attention, with celebrities weighing in on the situation.

Film director Michael Moore has started a petition on his website calling for the arrest of Gov. Rick Snyder.

In a letter to Snyder, Moore says,

Thanks to you, sir, and the premeditated actions of your administrators, you have effectively poisoned, not just some, but apparently ALL of the children in my hometown of Flint, Michigan. And for that, you have to go to jail.

To poison all the children in an historic American city is no small feat. Even international terrorist organizations haven't figured out yet how to do something on a magnitude like this."

In 2014, Flint switched from using Detroit’s water system to the Flint River as a cost-cutting move, while under state financial management. Residents complained about the water’s taste, smell and appearance. Children in Flint were found to have elevated blood lead levels.

Moore accuses Snyder of knowing the water in the Flint River was polluted:

Your staff and others knew that the water in the Flint River was poison -- but you decided that taking over the city and "cutting costs" to "balance the budget" was more important than the people's health (not to mention their democratic rights to elect their own leaders)."

Moore then encourages anyone who agrees with him to sign a petition calling for Snyder's arrest.

On Tuesday this week Gov. Rick Snyder declared a state of emergency in Flint. Thursday the governor is meeting with Flint's mayor Thursday in Lansing and is also holding a news conference detailing what additional actions will be taken, WZZM-13 reports.

Earlier this week, Cher shared her feelings on the Flint water crisis on Twitter, calling Gov. Snyder a "murderer".