Offensive’ Marion Barry comments raise D.C. lawmaker’s ire

“Norton told Barry that she was stunned by the offensive nature of the comments,” according to a statement from her office. “She reminded Barry of how long she had known him and the values they first shared when they were students together in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in the South fighting for racial justice.”

After a flood of criticism following his remarks, Barry apologized via his Twitter account.

“I admit, I could and should have said it differently,” Barry wrote on Thursday. “But the facts are still very present in our daily lives here.”

Barry told the Washington Post his apology was sincere: “It is as solid as Marion Barry can make it, and believe it, because I have a history of not doing anything to purposely disparage any group of people.”

This is far from the first time the former mayor has faced controversy. Barry previously served six months in jail on drug charges, and pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor charges of failing to pay federal and local taxes in 2005.

Barry has held the Ward 8 city council seat since 2005.