FLINT, MI--Democratic presidential candidate and former Texas Rep. Beto O’Rourke spoke on education, immigration and equal rights at the Ferris Wheel in Flint on Wednesday, July 24.

More than a hundred residents from Flint and neighboring cities listened to O’Rourke speak on what his administration would do if he’s elected as president. Residents were given an opportunity to ask O’Rourke questions at the end of the town hall.

O’Rourke emphasized the needs to ensure equal rights among immigrants and women’s reproductive rights, as well as provide greater access to primary, secondary and higher education in the U.S. The candidate also mentioned the “need for universal healthcare.”

“I’ve heard a lot about what’s going into Flint right now: innovation, investment, entrepreneurship," O’Rourke said. “There is a real fierce pride in how people talked about their hometown today.”

Linda Bell, 55, is an American Sign Language interpreter and instructor based in Flint. She showed up to the town hall to hear O’Rourke’s stance on increasing access and resources for people with disabilities.

“I wanted to make sure people with disabilities are represented today,” Bell said. “Some of our cities are not engaging with people with disabilities. We need to be more accessible.”

O’Rourke addressed the issue by stating his administration would better fund schools for students with disabilities, Bell said.

“We’re waiting to see if someone is really going to make a difference," Bell said.

O’Rourke was adamant about funding education equally.

“I propose under our administration we will set up a $500-billion-dollar permanent education fund for equality equity, and excellence in public education,” O’Rourke said. “We are going to fund the gap to make sure that money is not an object in being able to deliver a world class education.”

John Paul Torres, a school member in Waterford, traveled 35 miles to hear O’Rourke speak. Torres is the son of an immigrant who came to the states from Mexico, gained citizenship and served the U.S. Army.

Torres describe the atmosphere as “inspiring.”

“The damage that’s been done to the immigrant community has been profound. I wanted to hear from (O’Rourke) in person about how he can help this perception that’s been painted by the current administration of immigrants in this country,” Torres said.

Torres said he was impressed with what O’Rourke had to say because he’s seen what the presidential hopeful has done.

“He was one of the first people to respond to what’s going on at the border,” Torres said. “He’s not shying away from what his stance is on immigration. His language today was strong.”

O’Rourke stated one of the first task his administration would take on is reuniting asylum seekers with their families and dismantling the camps at the southern border.

“What if we decided to forever free them from any fear of deportation by legalizing people in this country right now, allowing them to come forward, register with the government, contribute even more to the success and genesis of America,” O’Rourke said. “(We will) invest in solutions and work local stakeholders in Central America so no family has to make the 2,000 mile journey to come to our country in the first place.”

When asked by an audience member how he plans to win against President Donald Trump, O’Rourke stated it’s done by banding Americans together.

“I think that all states matter,” O’Rourke said. “I wouldn’t concede a single state, single vote or a single electoral college elector. We’re going to go fight for everyone and bring everyone in.”

O’Rourke emphasized his plans on equality when two audience members asked him about what he is going to do regarding the discrimination LGBTQ people often face.

“We are going to sign into law the Equality Act because in this country, (in) too many states you can, by law, be fired for your sexual orientation,” he answered.

Audience members were able to take photos and talk to O’Rourke after the town hall concluded.