Marion Barry announces the Free D.C. movement on the steps of the Wilson Building

Marion Barry announces the Free D.C. movement at a press conference on the steps of the Wilson Building, 1966.
Washington Star Collection © Washington Post
The People’s Archive at DC Public Library

In 1965, Barry was assigned to lead SNCC’s D.C. chapter. Upon his arrival, Barry was shocked to find that residents did not have the right to vote, which meant that they had no authority over the city’s budget or laws. It was clear to Barry that the people of D.C. needed a leader who could stand up to Congress.