Written by Tanya Terry
On May 5, a small group marched from Flint City Hall to Mayor Sheldon Neeley’s home carrying a casket. The group called this “Flint’s funeral.” It was meant to symbolize the city’s decline under the current leadership. Videos of the “funeral” have been circulating on social media. A local activist who does not support Neeley is said to be behind it.
Although some Flint residents have clearly expressed they do not support Neeley’s priorities, many Flint residents stated on social media that they felt the “casket protest” was too extreme.
The casket had the words “until you do right by Flint, everything you touch will crumble.”
As they walked down Saginaw Street, participants pointed out the Flint Water Crisis began on April 25, 2014, and many residents have not yet recovered from its effects.
“We bring a casket with the citizens of this city to declare the funeral is over, and today the tyranny and dictatorship in these United States of America is over,” a man with a megaphone shouted in front of Neeley’s residence.
The Courier reached out to the City of Flint and received this statement from Flint Police Chief Terence Green regarding the May 5 protest at Mayor Neeley’s residence:
“The Flint Police Department wishes to address the incident that occurred on May 5, 2025, at the private residence of Mayor Sheldon Neeley and State Representative Cynthia Neeley. On that day, a protest organized by individuals outside the residence included the display of a casket and other provocative symbols.
“Our community perceives this demonstration as a direct threat to the safety and well-being of Mayor Neeley, his family and residents at large. While the Flint Police Department is committed to upholding the rights of individuals to peacefully assemble and express their views, actions that involve intimidating, threatening or endangering private residences—particularly at the homes of public officials—are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
“We have received multiple complaints regarding the individual who led this protest, as well as concerns stemming from previous incidents that have created unsafe situations within our city. The department is actively investigating this incident and any related activities to ensure the safety of all residents.
“We urge community members to report any information related to this event or similar occurrences to the Flint Police Department. Our top priority remains the safety and security of our community, and we are dedicated to working diligently to prevent any actions that threaten the peace and well-being of our residents.
“We thank the community for their cooperation and understanding as we continue our efforts to maintain a safe and secure environment for all.”
