Written by Tanya Terry, with photos by Tanya Terry
On March 2, a candlelight vigil was held in front of Flint City Hall to honor the late Councilman Eric Mays with about 200 people from within and outside of the Flint community.
“One thing I knew about Eric Mays – he was a man of faith and power,” said Bishop Bernadel Jefferson at the vigil before praying to help open the vigil.
Jefferson said the prayer vigil was fitting because many things Mays did could not have been accomplished if Mays didn’t trust and depend on God.
Former Mayor Karen Weaver referred to Mays in her speech as “our friend, our advocate, our fighter, our voice.”
Joe Cannizzo of the Lento Law Group said he and his colleagues represented Mays in a number of cases in Flint.
“The city of Flint has suffered a great loss when it lost Eric Mays,” Cannizzo said. “He was a strong and fiercely compassionate voice for this city, and there truly will never be another one like him.”
John Fernandez, who is also with the Lento Law Group, described Mays as a person who had a remarkable gift for speaking the truth and for communicating powerful words and sentiments.
“I know my dad was a good man – not just to me, but to everybody,” said Eric HaKeem Deontaye Mays, the son of the late Councilman Mays.
“He fought for everybody,” added Mays’ son. “He fought for what he believed in.”
An 8-year-old girl tapped Bishop Patrick E. Munnerlyn on the shoulder while he was speaking at the vigil and said she wanted to say something.
“I just wanted to say he was a really, really good man,” said the young girl, who later told the Courier her name was Lauryn Gill Slaughter.
Councilwoman Jerri Winfrey-Carter pointed out when Councilman Mays called an appeal, she would likely support it.
“I believed in Councilman Mays and his vision for this city,” Winfrey-Carter added.
“He taught us that the hood was part of the neighborhood,” said Councilwoman Tonya Burns of Councilman Mays.
She also said Councilman Mays had a brilliant mind.
“He passed the first try to enter into law school,” said Burns.
Burns pointed out though Mays soon after got involved with a woman and set law school aside, it is uncommon for people to pass on their first times attempting to enter law school.
“Though he may be absent from his seat, he is present with the Lord,” said Burns.
Flint City Councilman Dennis Pfeiffer stated that he wouldn’t be in council if it wasn’t for Councilman Mays.
“He not only provided leadership, he provided the willingness to fight – the willingness to fight for what’s right, and to continue no matter what,” said Pfeiffer. “We may lose the battle, but the war continues.”
Red balloons were released into the air by loved ones of Councilman Mays towards the end of the vigil for Mays, who died at age 65 Feb. 24.
