Matt Damon calls for Michigan governor to resign as militia members join protests over Flint's water crisis

A Hollywood A-lister has weighed in on the water crisis in Flint, calling for the governor of Michigan to resign as militia members joined the ongoing protests Sunday.

While speaking at the Sundance Film Festival on Saturday, actor Matt Damon offered some blunt words for Governor Rick Snyder after residents of Flint complained for more than 18 months that their water was contaminated.

'At the very least he should resign! At the very least,' Damon told The Daily Beast of Michigan Governor Rick Snyder.

'Listen, everybody's entitled to a fair trial in the United States of America, but that man should get one. And soon. That's just my personal opinion.'

Upset: While speaking at the Sundance Film Festival on Saturday, actor Matt Damon offered some blunt words for Governor Rick Snyder after residents of Flint complained for more than 18 months that their water was contaminated

Of Snyder, Damon said: 'At the very least he should resign! At the very least. Listen, everybody's entitled to a fair trial in the United States of America, but that man should get one. And soon. That's just my personal opinion'

On Sunday, about 30 members of the Genesee County Volunteer Militia held a rally and protest outside of City Hall to demand accountability

Experts are estimating that at least 8,000 children under the age of six may have suffered permanent brain damage after being exposed to extremely high levels of lead in the city's water supply. 

Damon, who is the co-founder of the nonprofit Water.org, was at the festival to call attention to the desperate need for clean water in impoverished regions around the world. 

Under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, redacted emails have revealed that Snyder's administration was aware of the issue in Flint almost a year ago, but did not inform the public until it was too late. 

The Oscar-nominated actor is not the first to call for Snyder to resign amid the water crisis. 

Democratic presidential candidates Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton both have sharply criticized Snyder for issue. 

 'Gov. Snyder is committed to helping the people of Flint, protecting their health and safety and correcting the problems with the water,' Dave Murray, press secretary for the governor, said in statement to MLive.com.

Matthew Krol, the militia's executive officer (above right) said 'We're here to defend this community,' while addressing the crowd in a full camouflage outfit with a handgun strapped to his hip

In addition, water resources sites and the Michigan National Guard are also aiding in distribution efforts by giving bottled water to residents

'This situation is the result of missteps at all levels of government -- local, state and federal. We're focused on fixing these problems.'

The 57-year-old governor said that he won't step down from his position and that he is working on solutions to fix Flint's water system.

On Sunday, about 30 members of the Genesee County Volunteer Militia held a rally and protest outside of City Hall to demand accountability. 

'We're here to defend this community,' said Matthew Krol, the militia's executive officer, addressing the crowd in a full camouflage outfit with a handgun strapped to his hip, The Detroit Free Press reported. 

'We're not going to allow (the government) to step on the people of Flint any longer.

'If it means having to take up arms in defense ... we will do that as well.' 

Flint Mayor Karen Weaver recently said that 'Governor Snyder must decide for himself whether he is going (to) step down' and it's 'his call to make for the people'

For the last week, militia members have delivered non-contaminated water door-to-door with the American Red Cross, the Free Press reported. 

President Barack Obama signed an emergency declaration on January 16 for Flint and authorized $5million and assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. 

The state must match 25 percent, and more money can come through an act of Congress.

In Snyder's State of the State address on January 19, he unveiled a $28million plan to combat Flint's water crisis. 

In addition, water resources sites and the Michigan National Guard are also aiding in distribution efforts by giving bottled water to residents. 

His plan allocates funding to six departments from the state and would also enable the state to increase National Guard efforts, MLive.com reported. 

It also allocates an increase of nurses in school and to replace fixtures in some public places.  

According to MLive.com, Flint Mayor Karen Weaver recently said that 'Governor Snyder must decide for himself whether he is going (to) step down' and it's 'his call to make for the people.'

Snyder is the target of two class-action lawsuits filed by Flint residents over the state's handling of the city's water crisis, The Flint Journal reported.

Snyder is the target of two class-action lawsuits filed by Flint residents over the state's handling of the city's water crisis