The Legacy of Marion Barry, Jr Lives on in the District

The District is 3 months away from the primary elections which registered voters can elect a new Mayor, along with other governing officials.  No matter the outcome, it is sort of set in stone that Marion S. Barry, Jr. is DC’s Mayor for life.

After arriving in Washington in 1965 to lead the SNCC office, Marion Barry, Jr. believed that the public safety employees should reflect the community.  During January of 1978, Marion Barry kicked off his official campaign for Mayor of the District of Columbia.  He was the second Mayor ever elected in DC, serving 3 terms until 1990 and has been the honorable Mayor for life ever since.  Even while serving as Councilmember he was still Mayor for life.   “Always fighting for the people,” Marion Barry devoted over 40 years of his life to public service until his untimely death in November 2014.

On Saturday, March 3,  Mayor Muriel Bowser along with many others recognized Marion Barry.  Dedicating a eight foot bronze statue sculpted by artist Steven Weitzman of Weitzman Studios.  The statue is in the likeness of 4-term Mayor of Washington, DC, Marion Barry, Jr.