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November 24, 2014

Former D.C. Mayor Marion Barry Dies at 78 
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And former Washington, D.C. Mayor Marion Barry has died at the age of
78. Barry served four terms as D.C. mayor, making a 1994 comeback after
being jailed for smoking crack cocaine in an FBI sting. Though known for
substance abuse problems and allegations of cronyism, Barry was
celebrated as a brave organizer during the Civil Rights movement and as
the nation's first African-American activist mayor. Washington, D.C.
mayor-elect Muriel Bowser paid tribute on Sunday.

Muriel Bowser: "We will miss Mayor Marion Barry. He has been an
inspiration to so many people, and a fighter for people, and a champion
for people of ward 8. Mr. Barry, I can say this, lived up to the minute,
the way he wanted to live. And he has left a strong legacy for so many
young people to follow."

In a statement, President Obama said: "As a leader with the Student
Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, Marion helped advance the cause of
civil rights for all. During his decades in elected office in D.C., he
put in place historic programs to lift working people out of poverty."

 

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