Eric Mays, a dedicated city council member renowned for his activism during the infamous Flint, Michigan, water crisis and a history of disruptive behavior at public meetings, died on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 65. City officials made the announcement, but they did not disclose the cause of the death.
Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley expressed sorrow, saying, “This is a tremendous loss for our community and a shock to all friends and family. As our community grieves during this difficult time, on behalf of Councilman Mays’ family, we ask that community members respect their privacy and allow them time and space to mourn. We continue to lift the family in prayer.”
Initially elected in 2013, Mays played a pivotal role in shedding light on the water crisis that plagued Flint for the past decade. The crisis emerged when the city began drawing water from the Flint River without proper treatment, resulting in severe lead contamination.
In 2015, Mays organized a public meeting that allowed residents to voice concerns about the city’s water quality. The meeting drew hundreds, with many expressing grievances about skin problems from the contaminated water.
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Despite his advocacy work, Mays was often at odds with his fellow council members, gaining notoriety for frequent outbursts that garnered a substantial social media following. Over the years, he was removed from council meetings multiple times, notably in 2015 when police escorted him out for refusing to stop speaking. In 2020, Mays lost a leadership role after making inflammatory comments during a public meeting, comparing a council leader to Adolf Hitler, and delivering a Nazi salute.
Nevertheless, Mays remained popular in his north side ward and secured re-election in 2021. His bid for Flint mayor in 2022, however, proved unsuccessful.
In an official statement, city officials acknowledged Mays for his “bold and courageous service” and announced that the flag at City Hall would be lowered to half-staff on Monday in his honor.
