Hundreds of people gathered outside Union Temple Baptist Church in Southeast Washington on Tuesday for Marion Barry Jr.s turkey giveaway, an annual holiday ritual that turned into a vigil for Barry, who died early Sunday morning at 78.
For years, Barry, the Districts four-time mayor and Ward 8 councilman, had raised thousands of dollars to buy turkeys and give them away to the poor. He called the long lines of people waiting for free Thanksgiving fixings a sad commentary on poverty in the richest nation in the world.
During his career as a civil rights activist and then the Districts most charismatic, powerful politician, Barry was viewed by many as a champion of the poor and disenfranchised. His annual turkey giveaway was something his constituents had come to count on in a tough economy and they were mourning him as they waited for the 3,500 turkeys and fresh vegetables that would be given away.
Marion Barry is going to be truly missed, said Ernice Beasley, 49, who lives in Southeast. I dont think well find anybody to fill his shoes.
LaToya Foster, a spokesperson for Barry, looked at the crowd and cried. This is what Marion Barry lived for, giving back to people, giving to the poorest people, making sure those who felt like they didnt have a voice were served.
As some in line wept, Foster said Barry was a voice for the voiceless, a voice for the disenfranchised who didnt feel they had any hope. He always said if you found yourself down but you could look up, then you could get up.
Barrys memorial service wont be held until next week because of the scale of the events planned.
DeNeen L. Brown is an award-winning staff writer at The Washington Post who has covered night police, education, courts, politics and culture.
Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/hundreds-mourn-marion-barry-at-his-annual-turkey-giveaway/2014/11/25/c7be81da-74b3-11e4-bd1b-03009bd3e984_story.html
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