What right does Congress have to go around making laws just because they deem it necessary? – Marion Barry
People blame me because these water mains break, but I ask you, if the water mains didn’t break, would it be my responsibility to fix them then? – Marion Barry
The laws in this city are clearly racist. All laws are racist. The law of gravity is racist. – Marion Barry
The brave men who died in Vietnam, more than 100% of which were black, were the ultimate sacrifice. – Marion Barry
I have to admit I didn’t do as much as I should have back when I was mayor, but now we’re getting it done. It’s not where you’ve been but where you’re going. – Marion Barry
I read a funny story about how the Republicans freed the slaves. The Republicans are the ones who created slavery by law in the 1600’s. Abraham Lincoln freed the slaves and he was not a Republican. – Marion Barry
First, it was not a strip bar, it was an erotic club. And second, what can I say? I’m a night owl. – Marion Barry
I am clearly more popular than Reagan. I am in my third term. Where’s Reagan? Gone after two! Defeated by George Bush and Michael Dukakis no less. – Marion Barry
People have criticised me because my security detail is larger than the president’s. But you must ask yourself: are there more people who want to kill me than who want to kill the president? I can assure you there are. – Marion Barry
I am making this trip to Africa because Washington is an international city, just like Tokyo, Nigeria or Israel. As mayor, I am an international symbol. Can you deny that to Africa? – Marion Barry
