Today was the unveiling of the statue of Marion Barry, “Mayor for Life.”  The bronze statue by sculptor Steven Weitzman is on Pennsylvania Avenue, in front of the District Building.

Many people spoke during the ceremony, including Mayor Bowser and Cora Masters Barry.  The speakers acknowledged his flaws, but spoke of how he constantly tried for the city and never gave up, from his early civil rights  work through all his terms as mayor and on the City Council.   The speeches quoted his campaign slogan after he came out of prison:  “He May Not Be Perfect, But He’s Perfect for D.C.”  There was a large crowd on Pennsylvania Avenue and Freedom Plaza – happy, proud, and reverent.