Dylan Byers is reporting, "This is not just locals, protestors I've spoken with came from all over country."

According to the Twitter account of Charles Williams II, a pastor in Detroit, Michigan, who is being credited with organizing this protest, it's about the Flint water crisis, which Republicans have had precious little to say about.

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A protest outside the theater forces the issue. There will be no way for moderators to begin with anything but a question about Flint.

Matt Baume will be liveslogging the debate here starting at 6 pm.