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Charles Barron (born October 7, 1950) is an American activist and politician who served in the New York City Council, representing Brooklyn's 42nd district from 2022 to 2023. He previously held the same seat from 2002 to 2013, and served in the New York Assembly from the 60th district between 2015 and 2022.

Key Information

A self-described "elected activist", Barron ran for Mayor of New York City in 2005. In 2006 he was narrowly defeated by Edolphus Towns in the Democratic Party primary for the U.S. House of Representatives (10th Congressional District).[1] He ran again in the Democratic primary for New York's 8th congressional district, which was being vacated by Towns, but lost to State Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, 28% to 72%.[2]

Barron began his career working as a community activist in the East New York neighborhood of Brooklyn in the 1980s.[1][3] He became chief of staff for Rev. Herbert Daughtry before running for the New York city council, where he served from 2001 to 2013.[4]

Early years and education

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Barron was born on October 7, 1950. For six years his family lived in Corona, Queens, then moved to the Lillian Wald housing project in Lower Manhattan. He attended Seward Park High School in Lower Manhattan, but left before graduating, but later earned his GED. He went on to attend New York City Technical College (then known as New York City Community College), earning an associate degree, and Hunter College, where he graduated with a B.A. in Sociology.[5]

Early activism

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Black Panther Party

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In 1969, when he was 18 years old, Barron was recruited to the Harlem branch of the Black Panther Party by a member named Mark Holder.[6][7] Barron distributed newspapers for the party, and developed an interest in politics. He studied the Third World independence movement and the ideas of African leaders as Kwame Nkrumah (president of Ghana) and Ahmed Sékou Touré (president of Guinea). Barron became increasingly critical of U.S. foreign policy. He opposed the Duvaliers in Haiti, Pinochet in Chile, Marcos in the Philippines, Pahlavi of Iran, and Somoza of Nicaragua. He recalled in 2010, "It was strange, because everybody I was against, America was for."[6]

... I still say I'm a Black Panther to my heart because in the 10-Point Program we talked about an immediate end to police brutality and exemption from us going into the military because we're not going to fight against countries and people of color abroad when we don't even have our freedom domestically and we fought for housing and clothing, shelter and relevant education, and this was all part of the 10-Point Program of the Black Panther Party which is still what I'm fighting for today.

—Charles Barron during an interview in 2010[6]

National Black United Front

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In 1979, Barron joined the National Black United Front (NBUF), and was the founding chairperson of its Harlem Chapter. In 1982, as head of the Harlem Chapter, Barron was arrested with Preston Wilcox from the Institute of African Research because they, with roughly 12 to 20 other protesters, attempted to "forcibly remove" Robert Morris, a white historian, from the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. Morris had been appointed chief archivist of the center. The members of the group were charged with harassment and criminal trespassing.[8]

Shortly after the incident, Barron was appointed chief of staff to the Reverend Herbert Daughtry, chairperson of the NBUF and minister at Brooklyn's House of the Lord Church. In 1983, Barron moved to East New York, where he and his wife founded the Dynamics of Leadership Company. He spoke at many organizations and schools, including Harvard and Yale, teaching principles of negotiation, team-building, emotional intelligence, and leadership.[9] From 1982 to 1987, Barron served as secretary general of the African Peoples Christian Organization (APCO). He traveled across the United States visiting college campuses, churches, prisons and communities "organizing around international, national and local issues."[10]

On December 21, 1987, Barron participated in a "day of outrage" to protest racism in the New York City Police Department and local courts. The protest involved blocking traffic during the evening rush hour, including eastbound traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge, as well as stopping subway trains in several stations. More than 70 protesters were arrested; most were charged with obstruction of government administration and disorderly conduct. Among the few who actually stood on the subway tracks included Barron, Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Benjamin Chavis, Rev. Timothy Mitchell, Assemblyman Roger Greene, and lawyer C. Vernon Mason, who were additionally charged with criminal trespass. All were held overnight in jail, which elicited further claims of racial bias.[11][12] Sharpton, Mitchell and Barron were convicted in February 1990, with Mitchell and Barron being jailed for 45 days.[13] Barron spent another 25 days in jail, with Sharpton, for a protest related to the Tawana Brawley rape allegations.[14]

In 1988, Barron published two children's books: Up You Mighty People, You Can Accomplish What You Will and Look For Me in the Whirlwind, written about the life of Marcus Garvey. [citation needed]

One successful accomplishment of Barron and his allies was preventing the construction by the city of a wood-burning incinerator in the neighborhood.[15] In 1996, Barron and community groups also fought the building of a natural gas generator.[16] Barron said his opposition to the incinerator is what catapulted him into electoral politics.[17]

City Council

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In 1997, Barron ran for the city council. He attacked the incumbent, East New York councilmember Priscilla Wooten, for supporting Mayor Rudy Giuliani, saying her politics were out of date and she did not take enough initiative for neighborhood and community development.[15] Barron was endorsed by black leaders David Dinkins and Al Sharpton, but he ended up losing to Wooten.[18][19][20] Barron ran again in 2001, when term limits prevented Wooten from running. He defeated her son, Donald Wooten, and became City Councillor for the 42nd District.[21] Barron was re-elected in 2005 and 2009, each time with over 85% of the popular vote.[22][23][24]

In 2002, Barron was appointed chair of the city council's Higher Education Committee. As chair, he criticized the City University of New York (CUNY) for eliminating remedial courses and raising admission standards, claiming CUNY raised the standards in order to restrict minority student access.[25] He argued that students should not be denied admission to CUNY because of their performance at the pre-college level, adding that when the CUNY ended open admissions the number of black students declined while changes in the proportions of other ethnic groups were minimal. [citation needed]

In January 2006, Barron was the only Council member to vote against Christine Quinn by voting for Bill de Blasio for the speakership position. Quinn moved his seat in the chamber to one next to a statue of the third President of the United States, Thomas Jefferson, whom Barron has criticized.[26] Barron told reporters, "I don't think it was deliberate, but it does bother me to be placed so near Jefferson, who was a slaveholder, a hypocrite, and a rapist."[27]

In late 2009, Barron intensified his opposition to Quinn, proposing a "Democratic Reform Movement" with City Councillor Tony Avella to shift power away from the council speaker to rank-and-file members. Barron and Avella proposed electing a black or Latino member as speaker to replace Quinn.[28] Barron challenged Quinn for the speakership but was defeated by a council vote of 48 to 1. Quinn then organized a 47–1 vote removing Barron as chairman of the Higher Education Committee.[29][30][31] Barron stated that the move to strip him of the committee chairmanship was racist.[32] Quinn disagreed, stating that the Council needed chairpersons "that are unifying forces."[33] In January 2010, Barron ran against Quinn for the position of Speaker, and lost 50–1. During the vote, his supporters shouted "sellout" and "Uncle Tom" to black members who voted for Quinn.[34]

2005 New York City mayoral campaign

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Barron entered the race for mayor of New York city in 2005. According to the New York Post, he stated that one of his reasons for running was to redress an unfair balance of power between Whites and blacks in New York City: "White men have too much power in this city".[35] He raised funds and campaigned but in early February 2005, dropped out and threw his support to C. Virginia Fields. His campaign funding amounted to about $49,000, far less than that of some of other Democratic candidates; Fernando Ferrer raised $1.2 million in six months, and Gifford Miller raised $1 million in 6 months.[36] Barron chose to endorse Fields rather than attempt a long-shot campaign. "I think two blacks in the race cancel each other out", he said, indicating a fear that the black vote would be divided and weakened by the choice of two candidates.[37] Barron vowed that he would run again, saying "I will be back. I will be mayor of New York City before I leave this planet. It may be in 2009 or it may not be until 2013, but I will be mayor someday." [citation needed]

During the campaign, he criticized rival Democrat Fernando Ferrer for the latter's comments regarding the Amadou Diallo shooting. [clarification needed] Barron said the comments brought "irreversible" damage to Ferrer's campaign and hoped Ferrer would drop out of the race and endorse Fields.[38]

In 2006, Barron expressed his disaffection from the Democratic Party, disappointed by the large number of cross-endorsements Bloomberg received from Democrats.[39] He said the Party was in need of a "political audit" and had "moved so far to the right that they might as well be called Republicrats." He told the Amsterdam News, "Black folks need to consider a mass exodus from the Democratic Party and build a new party of their own, because the Democrats have turned their backs on them on too many occasions. We should not give any party blind loyalty and support. Instead, we should really form a grassroots, Black-agenda-based third-party option."[39]

2006 Congressional campaigns

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In 2006, Barron ran for a House seat representing the 10th district, which includes East New York.[40] He ran against the 24-year incumbent, Democrat Edolphus Towns, and lost by 8 points. Although considered a potentially strong contender in the 2008 Congressional election, he chose not to run.[41]

2010 gubernatorial campaign

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See also: Freedom Party of New York (2010) and New York gubernatorial election, 2010

On June 14, 2010, Barron announced he had formed a new party, the New York Democratic Freedom Party, and would challenge Democratic gubernatorial nominee Andrew Cuomo. He noted that Cuomo had picked a white politician to run for the position of Lieutenant Governor and that all the other statewide Democratic Party candidates were white.[42][43] When speaking about Cuomo, Barron said, "He's done nothing to deserve our support; he's hurt the black community. Remember he was with his father, when his father built more prisons than any other governor in the history of New York State. Andrew was with daddy and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree ... Andrew's arrogant, he's just like his father." [citation needed]

Barron expressed resentment towards the Democratic Party, saying it had taken African-Americans for granted: "It's time for us to be for us. It's time for us to be a self-determining people."[44] Barron aimed to get 50,000 votes in the governor's race, enough to gain ballot access for the party,[45] but ended up with 24,560 votes out of over 3,000,000 cast. More than 75% of the votes cast for Barron originated in New York City.[46]

A month after Cuomo began his term as governor, on February 21, 2011, Barron interrupted a Cuomo speech in Brooklyn, leading the crowd in chants of "tax the rich". He criticized Cuomo's budget proposals, which called for deep cuts in health care and education spending, and his decision not to extend the state's so-called millionaire's tax, which expires at the end of 2012.[47]

2012 Congressional campaign

[edit]

Barron announced that he would seek the 2012 Democratic nomination for the House seat due to the retirement of the long-term incumbent, Edolphus Towns.[48] By mid-June 2012, candidate Hakeem Jeffries had raised $700,000 in campaign donations compared to Barron's $50,000.[49] Towns gave Barron a surprise endorsement, but Barron was publicly embarrassed when David Duke made a video where he endorsed Barron over Jeffries, stating that he liked Barron's anti-Israel views and making racial insults towards Jeffries. Barron tried to deflect Duke's unwelcome praise but the news was widely circulated by Jeffries' supporters, who were amused that Barron couldn't really counter Duke's endorsement because they did share some common beliefs.

On June 11, 2012, former Mayor Ed Koch, Congressman Jerrold Nadler, Councilman David G. Greenfield, Assemblyman Dov Hikind gathered with several other elected officials to support Jeffries and denounce Barron. Barron was described as anti-Semitic, and his support of Zimbabwe ruler Robert Mugabe and former Libya ruler Muammar Gaddafi was denounced.[50] Greenfield described Barron as "a hate-monger and an anti-Semite."[51] Barron responded that such attacks had not been raised when he spoke before Jewish groups in Brooklyn, and that his constituents were interested in discussing "bread and butter" issues, not foreign policy.[52] The candidates differed strongly on charter schools. Barron is one of the charter schools' strongest critics, while Jeffries endorses them.[53]

Barron lost the Democratic nomination to Jeffries, with Jeffries taking 72% for the vote to Barron's 28% on June 26, 2012. Barron refused to congratulate Jeffries, accusing the Jeffries campaign of "a smear campaign [and] show[ing] a lack of character". He added: "They had the media. They called us names — The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the New York Post, the white media — because we were endorsed by the Amsterdam News and Black Star. We had the Wall Street corporate elite, the Democratic establishment, and the media all against us. But we put the state and nation on notice." Jeffries stated in his own victory speech that "The political pundits said that this was going to be a close race, but that was before the people had spoken."[54][55][56][57]

2014 State Assembly campaign

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On November 4, 2013, Barron announced in a Web Video, that he will run for the State Assembly seat, currently vacated by his wife, Inez, who ran for his term-limited City council seat.[58] Barron said that he will fight Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Speaker Sheldon Silver, and the Democratic establishment to raise taxes and to increase Pre-K funding.

Political positions

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Education

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On February 3, 2011, Barron was among hundreds of angry parents and students who protested loudly during a hearing closing 12 schools classified as failing.[59] On March 3, Barron celebrated with supporters as they learned that one of their protests had been successful, and that PS 114 in Canarsie would remain open.[60][61][62]

Walmart

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On February 3, 2011, the city council discussed allowing a Walmart into Brooklyn, with East New York one of the neighborhoods being considered by Walmart. Barron called Walmart a "roving plantation" and said "There are no slaves in East New York. We will not be your slave workers."[63][64]

Same-sex marriage and civil unions

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In November 2011, Barron said that he opposed same sex marriage,[65] but at a June 2012 debate declined to state a position on the issue.[66] Earlier in 2010, while running for governor, Barron stated that he was a strong supporter of civil unions, adding, "I voted positively on all legislation in the City Council regarding civil union and gay rights. I believe homosexuals deserve equal protection under the law, like everyone else."[67]

When asked in 2011 about the argument that the fight for same-sex marriage is the modern-day equivalent of the civil rights struggle, Barron answered, "I don't consider it the civil-rights issue of our time. Comparing it to our struggle when we were stolen from Africa, enslaved, murdered, raped, hung, lynched. I'm not even going to give it the same breath as our movement in this country."[65]

Israel and its blockade of Gaza

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Main article: Viva Palestina

A leader of the Viva Palestina-USA group, Barron in July 2009 joined 200 other participants, mostly U.S. citizens, as the George Galloway led Viva Palestina relief convoy penetrated the Israeli-Egyptian blockade of Gaza. The convoy brought more than $1 million in medical equipment and supplies to Gaza's one and a half million inhabitants.[68][69] The U.S.-based Anti-Defamation League asked the U.S. Justice Department to investigate the U.S. Viva Palestina group, but the group stated that it would adhere to U.S. law and not provide Hamas assistance, instead delivering its aid to nongovernmental organizations.[70]

In July 2009, Barron stated that the Gaza Strip section of the Palestinian Territories was "a virtual death camp, the same kind of conditions the Nazis imposed on the Jews."[4] 11 months later he stated, "There's too many children and women and innocent men of Gaza dying because you're isolating them and not allowing anything in. It's like having a concentration death camp. It's horrible, and the whole world is and should be outraged."[71]

Muammar Gaddafi, Robert Mugabe, and Louis Farrakhan

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In November 2011, after the end of the Libyan civil war, Barron voiced support for Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi, stating "Out there, they don't know that Qaddafi was our brother." [Barron] also rejected claims of Gaddafi's brutality, stating "People say 'Didn't he kill all those people?' I say, 'I don't know anything. The man was a freedom fighter.'"[72]

On September 12, 2002, Barron hosted an event at New York City Hall honoring Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe, whom Barron praised as the liberator of black Africans in then-Rhodesia.[73] In 2008, he again voiced support for Mugabe, who had allegedly committed crimes and atrocities in Zimbabwe.[74] Specifically, Barron said, "In the year 2000, when he said one farm, one farmer, he was vilified", arguing that Mugabe was popular internationally only while his government "didn't take the land from the whites". He added that in South Africa, whites "still own 80 to 90 percent of the land," which is why international powers support South African leaders such Nelson Mandela. Barron stated he had seen no evidence which tied the Mugabe government to any attacks on supporters of the Zimbabwe opposition.[74]

Barron has defended Louis Farrakhan against allegations that Farrakhan is a racist.[75][76]

Police brutality

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Barron has sided with black leaders in supporting victims of police brutality, including Amadou Diallo. He has said that crime is not the fault of the black community, but rather, is a consequence of the community's economic plight. Barron said that crime could only be reduced by economic opportunities and advancement, and without economic opportunities, "every black community is a powder keg."[77][78]

In response to the New York City Police Department (NYPD) shooting of three individuals—including the fatal shooting of a 23-year-old prospective bridegroom, Sean Bell outside of a Jamaica, Queens strip club in 2006, Barron made a number of controversial statements, including one that implied that members of Bell's community would be justified in exercising non-peaceful or violent methods in response to his death.[79] Barron has publicly stated "we don't shoot anybody, they shoot us."

Barron's name was floated with death threats on NYPD Rant, an internet forum, during 2007. Barron and the 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement called for a prompt investigation, and security detail was increased.[citation needed]

Reparations for slavery

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Barron has spoken passionately on the issue of reparations for slavery and, while on the city council, proposed creating a commission in New York City to study the effects of slavery on modern African Americans and use city funding for reparations.[80] He also introduced a bill to support restitution from companies that had benefited from past slavery.

In 2002, Barron was criticized for stating at a reparations rally, "I want to go up to the closest white person and say, 'You can't understand this, it's a black thing' and then slap him, just for my mental health."[81] Barron explained that the remark was hyperbole and not to be taken seriously.[81]

African-American history

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Barron believes that United States history is not accurately taught in schools, and has expressed interest in promoting African-American history throughout the New York City public school system. He has drafted legislation mandating the teaching of African-American history in required school curriculum. He has used his position as Councilman to propose renaming buildings and schools as well as decorating them with mementos of black history. He wishes to publicize black history greater, including erecting portraits of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X, as important leaders in American history. Barron proposed bills to honor America's African American heritage and such individuals as Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey, Frederick Douglass, Paul Robeson, and W. E. B. Du Bois. He drafted a bill that would have asked President George W. Bush to cancel all debts African nations owe the U.S.[82]

Clemency and compensation for the wrongly accused

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Barron has twice sought clemency for individuals he described as "political prisoners". For example, In 2002, he asked that Anthony Bottom, Albert Washington, and Herman Bell be released. Although they were convicted for killing two police officers in 1971, conflicting evidence surfaced through COINTELPRO that suggests questionable government tactics in the prosecution of the three men. The bill was hotly debated and rejected.[83] Barron asked in 2005 that Assata Shakur, a fugitive wanted by the federal government, be granted clemency for the alleged 1973 killing of a state trooper.[84]

In 2009, Barron asked that the City of New York compensate the five men wrongly accused in the Central Park Jogger case.[85][86]

Immigration

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Barron, appearing on the Fox network television program The O'Reilly Factor[87] in April, 2006, stated that opposition to present-day immigration involves skin color. He argued that Germans, Jews, Poles, Greeks, and Italians who immigrated to the United States during the late 19th century were welcomed because of the color of their skin. In contrast, "All of a sudden when the complexion of immigration changes, now it's 'these people'." He stated to host Bill O'Reilly that the original European immigrants had received preferential treatment: "They had enough black people here already that were skilled and couldn't get the jobs that your people [i.e., European-Americans] were able to get." Many viewers responded to the episode, upset that Barron did not concede that white immigrants were also discriminated against.[88]

Pledge of Allegiance

[edit]

Barron says he does not salute the flag or believe in the Pledge of Allegiance, stating that the pledge's assertion that there is equality and justice for all is a lie that is not true for African-Americans.[89] In 2004, he strongly objected to a move by the City Council that would begin each meeting with a voluntary Pledge.[90]

Capitalism

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Barron has criticized crony capitalism, calling it a "deeply-rooted illness" within America.[citation needed] Barron wrote a scathing editorial on the $700 billion bailout package in 2008, calling it the "biggest welfare check in the history of the planet". He said it was "a contradiction of capitalism" to give money to Wall Street during a slump while it had said for years that there was "no money for the people."[citation needed] Barron believes that capitalism should be replaced with socialism.

Gentrification

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At the National Summit on Gentrification in 2019, Barron discussed strategies on keeping his district Black to the exclusion of White people, boasting:

"East New York, the community has had the largest increase in the black population is in East New York 13.2%. Harlemn lost 14% of its blacks, 400% increase of whites ... I have the distinct honor to be able to come before you and say I actually lost white population in my community. I lost, They left. I didn't ask them why they left. So if you see one or two or three or four or five whites in my neighborhood they're passing through."[91]

Subprime mortgage crisis

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Barron held a mortgage crisis forum in 2007 to address concerns from residents who were in danger of house foreclosure. Barron said the subprime mortgage crisis of 2007 predominantly hurt African-Americans, who were lied to by predatory business practices.[92]

See also

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References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Charles Barron

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from Grokipedia
Charles Barron is an American activist and politician who represented New York City's 42nd Council District in East New York, Brooklyn, from 2002 to 2013 and again from 2022 to 2023 following redistricting-induced elections. A former member of the Black Panther Party's Harlem branch, he earned a B.A. in sociology from Hunter College and founded community organizations such as Operation POWER to promote economic empowerment and leadership training in underserved neighborhoods. Barron also served in the New York State Assembly for District 60 from 2015 to 2021, focusing on issues like housing, education, and criminal justice reform. His career highlights include multiple runs for higher office, such as the U.S. House in 2012 and New York governorship in 2010 on the Freedom Party ticket, alongside advocacy for African American interests through groups like the National Black United Front. Barron's defining characteristics encompass a self-described "elected activist" style, marked by confrontational challenges to institutional power, criticism of policing, and vocal support for Palestinian rights, which have sparked controversies including public defenses of controversial figures and attributions of conflict blame to Israel.

Early life

Family background and upbringing

Charles Barron was born on October 7, 1950, at Flushing Hospital in , New York. For the first six years of his life, he resided with his family in the Corona neighborhood of before relocating to the Houses, a public housing development on Manhattan's . Barron was raised primarily by his mother in the amid the socioeconomic challenges typical of mid-20th-century urban for working-class Black families in . Limited public records detail his father's involvement or extended family dynamics, with available accounts emphasizing his mother's role in his upbringing in this environment of concentrated and influences.

Education and initial career

Barron attended public schools in during his youth, including Public School 188 on the and Junior High School 71 near Williamsburg, before transferring to Stewart Park High School in Floral Park, from which he departed prior to graduation. In 1972, he earned a high school equivalency diploma and enrolled at , part of the system, where he majored in sociology with a minor in elementary education and received a degree. Following his graduation, Barron's early professional activities centered on community roles in , where he relocated in the to work under Herbert Daughtry, a prominent local minister and civil rights figure, eventually serving as Daughtry's and contributing to organizational efforts in East New York.

Activism

Black Panther Party membership

Charles Barron joined the 's Harlem branch in 1969 as a high school dropout. His involvement centered on initiatives, including operating soup kitchens, providing to those facing police interactions, and organizing coat drives for local residents. Barron embraced the group's revolutionary ideology, which emphasized as an alternative to —described by him as a "blood-sucking system"—and armed in response to police brutality, asserting that "we have a right to bear arms." The Panthers' Ten-Point Program, demanding economic justice, housing, education, and an end to police violence, profoundly shaped Barron's political outlook, aligning with his later advocacy for community empowerment and . He remained active through at least 1972, when he earned his high school equivalency diploma while continuing party work. Barron has consistently reflected on his membership as formative, identifying as an "original member" of the party founded in and crediting it with instilling principles of and radical organizing that influenced his subsequent . In later years, he affirmed, "I’m still a to my heart," underscoring enduring commitment to the group's legacy amid its historical scrutiny for militancy and FBI targeting via .

National Black United Front and community organizing

In 1979, Charles Barron joined the National Black United Front (NBUF), an organization founded by Rev. Herbert Daughtry to promote Pan-African unity and combat systemic oppression, and he became the founding head of its chapter. Under NBUF, Barron coordinated rallies and protests targeting police brutality and civil rights violations in Black communities. As national field organizer for NBUF, Barron engaged in extensive across the , speaking at college campuses, churches, prisons, and neighborhood gatherings to mobilize support for local issues like housing discrimination and , as well as broader causes including anti-apartheid efforts in and opposition to U.S. foreign interventions. In 1982, he was arrested alongside other NBUF activists during a demanding accountability for police violence. These efforts emphasized empowerment and , drawing on NBUF's framework of coalition-building among Black nationalist and socialist groups to address economic exploitation and racial injustice. Barron's organizing extended to direct community services, such as aid distribution and legal support networks, which aimed to build institutional alternatives to state dependency in underserved areas. His work with NBUF laid the groundwork for later Brooklyn-based initiatives, fostering a model of confrontational that prioritized reparations demands and community control over resources.

Electoral political career

New York City Council service (2001–2013)

Barron was first elected to the in November 2001 as a Democrat representing the 42nd District in , which includes predominantly low-income neighborhoods such as East New York, Brownsville, New Lots, Remsen Village, Spring Creek, and . He assumed office on January 1, 2002, and was reelected in 2003, 2005, and 2009, serving three full terms until term limits prevented him from seeking reelection in 2013. During his tenure, Barron chaired the Council's Committee on Higher Education, through which he secured additional funding for the (CUNY) system and pushed for expanded access to higher education in underserved communities. He co-sponsored targeting predatory practices, lead paint hazards in housing, and implementation of standards for city contractors. Barron also sponsored resolutions advocating for clemency on behalf of individuals convicted of crimes tied to black nationalist groups, such as members Anthony Bottom (Jalil Muntaqim) and Herman Bell, framing them as political prisoners. Barron's council service emphasized community empowerment initiatives, building on his prior work with the Operation Power organization, which provided leadership training, food distribution, and anti-poverty programs in District 42. He frequently criticized police tactics, including stop-and-frisk policies, and introduced measures like Intro 1080 in to prohibit bias-based profiling by law enforcement, though it did not pass during his term. Barron attracted controversy for his outspoken rhetoric and positions, often drawing rebukes from fellow council members and media outlets for statements perceived as inflammatory. In July 2002, he defended revolutionary language and actions, such as organizing a mock slave auction to historical injustices, arguing they highlighted ongoing economic disparities in black communities, while critics contended they risked alienating constituents and undermining legislative goals. His advocacy for slavery reparations and opposition to certain foreign policies further polarized views, with supporters praising his uncompromised and detractors, including some in mainstream reporting, labeling his approach as demagogic. Barron maintained that such positions reflected the district's needs, prioritizing direct confrontation over consensus-building in a body he viewed as disconnected from realities.

2005 mayoral campaign

In January 2004, Charles Barron, then a first-term member representing Brooklyn's 42nd District, announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination in the 2005 mayoral election. Barron, a former member and community activist, positioned his low-budget insurgent campaign as a challenge to Michael Bloomberg's administration, criticizing the mayor as a outsider disconnected from working-class and minority communities. He emphasized themes of racial empowerment, arguing that white male dominance in city leadership marginalized black interests, and pledged to prioritize community control over policing and economic reparations for historical injustices. Barron's campaign struggled with fundraising and visibility amid a crowded Democratic field that included , C. Virginia Fields, Gifford Miller, , and . By early 2005, he had raised under $50,000, far short of competitors relying on public matching funds and establishment support. In November 2004, Barron set a personal deadline of March 31, 2005, to withdraw if he failed to gain significant traction or resources, reflecting the campaign's limited momentum in polls and endorsements. On February 13, 2005, Barron formally withdrew from the race before the September 13 Democratic primary, citing insufficient support to compete effectively. He endorsed Borough President C. Fields, the field's other candidate, to consolidate African American votes and advance a progressive minority-led challenge to Bloomberg. Barron later urged Ferrer to exit and back Fields as well, framing the endorsement as a strategic move to elevate in a race dominated by Latino and white contenders. Despite the withdrawal, Barron maintained that his bid highlighted overlooked issues in East New York and similar communities, vowing to pursue the mayoralty in the future.

Congressional campaigns (2006 and 2012)

In 2006, Barron challenged incumbent Democratic U.S. Representative in the primary election for , announcing his candidacy on February 13 amid criticisms of Towns' long tenure and perceived ineffectiveness on issues affecting Brooklyn's black communities. Barron positioned himself as a more aggressive advocate for , , and community empowerment, drawing on his activist background to contrast with Towns' establishment ties. In the September 12 primary, Barron received 15,345 votes, or 37.37 percent, while Towns secured the nomination with 62.63 percent. Following after the 2010 , which created encompassing parts of Barron's City Council base, Barron launched a second congressional bid in after Towns announced his . He faced state Assemblyman in the Democratic primary, campaigning on themes of economic redistribution, opposition to U.S. support for —which Barron characterized as enabling oppression—and demands for reparations, positions that drew opposition from Democratic leaders concerned about his associations and rhetoric. Barron experienced a late surge in polling, prompting establishment efforts to mobilize against him, but Jeffries prevailed decisively in the June 26 primary, carrying every assembly district in the district with approximately 72 percent of the vote to Barron's 28 percent. The defeat was attributed in part to Jeffries' broader appeal among moderate Democrats and out-of-state funding, alongside Barron's polarizing foreign policy critiques that alienated key constituencies.

2010 gubernatorial campaign

In June 2010, Barron announced his candidacy for governor, criticizing the Democratic ticket led by as lacking racial diversity and representing an "all-white" slate that ignored minority interests. He positioned his run as a to elevate black political power, founding the Freedom Party on June 17, 2010, explicitly as an all-black alternative to the major parties. The Freedom Party ratified Barron's nomination on July 2, 2010, at a rally attended by several hundred supporters at Siloam Presbyterian Church in , where he emphasized themes of economic justice, , and opposition to police brutality. By August 17, 2010, the party had collected sufficient signatures—over 45,000—to secure statewide , allowing Barron to appear on the general election ballot. Barron's was Eva M. Doyle, and the campaign drew support primarily from black nationalist and leftist communities in , though it struggled with limited funding and visibility outside urban areas. Barron participated in the state's sole gubernatorial debate on October 18, 2010, at , joined by five other minor-party candidates amid the Cuomo-Palandino matchup; he used the platform to advocate for his agenda rather than entertain, stating his intent was to win rather than spoil the race. In the November 2, 2010, , Barron and Doyle garnered 20,421 votes under the Freedom Party (listed as RDH on some returns), placing seventh out of eight candidates in a field where Cuomo secured over 62% of the vote. The low tally reflected the campaign's niche appeal and the dominance of the major-party contest, though Barron's effort highlighted ongoing frustrations with Democratic Party representation for African American voters in New York. The Freedom Party did not achieve lasting ballot status beyond 2010.

State Assembly tenure (2015–2021)

Barron won the Democratic primary for the 60th Assembly District on , 2014, defeating challenger Christopher W. Banks with 72% of the vote. He secured the general election on November 4, 2014, and took office on January 1, 2015, representing a district encompassing East New York, Brownsville, and parts of Canarsie. The district, with a over 120,000, featured high rates exceeding 30% and significant concentrations. Re-elected in 2016 by 93 percentage points, Barron faced no opponents in 2018 or 2020, reflecting strong local support in a heavily Democratic area. His legislative efforts emphasized district-specific priorities, including budget allocations for centers, senior services, and . In the 2021 state budget, he helped secure $20 million for the Scholarship Fund to cover non-tuition costs for SUNY and CUNY students from underserved communities. Barron sponsored A.6976 in 2017, aiming to consolidate senior services into a single access point, which passed but stalled in the . Barron advocated for criminal justice reforms, introducing bills to limit police appointments and expunge records from identity theft cases, though most did not advance beyond committee. His tenure newsletters highlighted opposition to gentrification-driven displacement and pushes for tied to local median incomes rather than citywide figures. Barron did not seek re-election for the term, endorsing Keron Alleyne as successor amid family political transitions.

City Council return and 2023 defeat

In 2021, following the end of his wife's term-limited tenure in Council's District 42—which she had held since succeeding him in 2014—Charles Barron, then a state assemblyman, announced his candidacy to reclaim the Brooklyn seat encompassing East New York. He won the Democratic primary on June 22, 2021, defeating challenger Nikki Lucas, a retired police officer, through ranked-choice voting, with Lucas receiving 6,868 final-round votes. Barron secured the general election on November 2, 2021, in the heavily Democratic district, returning to the City Council on January 1, 2022, for a one-year term ahead of adjustments. Barron's brief return focused on his longstanding priorities of community advocacy in East New York, but he faced a in the June 27, 2023, Democratic election for the full term starting in 2024. Challenger Chris Banks, a 28-year-old East New York native and after-school program worker, positioned himself as a fresh alternative emphasizing local issues like and youth services. Banks won the ranked-choice primary outright in the first round with 3,134 votes, capturing 50.7% of the tally against Barron and other candidates. The Board of Elections certified Banks's victory on July 5, 2023, marking Barron's electoral defeat and ending the Barron family's more than two decades of continuous representation in the district. Barron's loss was described in contemporary reporting as an upset reflecting voter interest in generational change, though he had maintained a base through his activist roots and criticism of establishment politics.

Political positions

Economic and social welfare policies

Barron has consistently criticized as an exploitative system reliant on class, racial, and to concentrate wealth among elites, advocating instead for socialist alternatives to redistribute resources and empower marginalized communities. He has proposed wealth redistribution policies modeled on taking from affluent sectors to fund programs benefiting the poor, particularly in urban areas like . Central to Barron's economic platform is the eradication of as a root cause of social ills, including , which he attributes primarily to economic deprivation rather than individual failings. In 2023, he outlined an "equity economic solution" targeting gun-violence-stricken neighborhoods through job creation, community investment, and direct anti-poverty initiatives, emphasizing that such measures would yield greater reductions than punitive approaches alone. Barron has developed specific plans to alleviate in Black communities via targeted , including workforce training and local business incentives, while critiquing broader systemic failures in addressing racial wealth disparities. On reparations, Barron has demanded legislative action to compensate descendants of enslaved Africans, framing it as essential economic restitution for historical exploitation that continues to perpetuate inequality; in July 2020, he rallied for a state assembly vote on reparations task forces and direct payments. He links this to broader social welfare goals, arguing that unaddressed historical debts undermine equitable . Barron supports expanded access to , viewing and development without community affordability safeguards as drivers of displacement; he has endorsed policies ensuring new projects prioritize low-income , such as income-based pricing mandates. In healthcare, he has advocated for quality, low-cost services including subsidized prescription drugs and preventive care, particularly for vulnerable populations facing fraud and access barriers. These positions align with his emphasis on government-led welfare expansions to mitigate economic anxiety and promote stability in working-class districts.

Foreign policy and international views

Barron has consistently described himself as an , criticizing U.S. foreign policy as driven by resource control and destabilization of non-compliant nations. In a farewell speech to the , he affirmed his commitment to and anti-imperialism, referencing visits to , , and as influences on his worldview. He has opposed U.S. military interventions, such as the 2011 bombing of under President Obama, arguing that Black voters did not support such actions against African nations. On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Barron has expressed staunch support for Palestinians, declaring himself "1000% pro-Palestinian" during a 2023 New York City Council meeting following the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. He has blamed Israel for the attack and promoted views equating Zionism with racism, drawing accusations of antisemitism from groups like the Anti-Defamation League, which documented his associations with anti-Israel extremists and rhetoric aimed at delegitimizing the state. Barron's positions have included calls for ending U.S. aid to Israel and support for movements challenging its existence, contributing to opposition against his congressional bids in 2012. Regarding Latin America, Barron has advocated lifting the U.S. embargo on , introducing a unanimous resolution on June 22, 2023, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Moncada attack and push for normalized relations. He has praised Cuban revolutionaries like and , visited the island multiple times, and defended its government against U.S. criticisms, including efforts to secure the release of exiled Black Panther . Similarly, he has supported Venezuela's Bolivarian revolution under and successors, viewing it as resistance to imperialism, and opposed U.S. designations of the country as a .

Criminal justice and policing

Barron has consistently argued that serves as the primary driver of , advocating for economic equity initiatives over expanded police presence as the most effective means to reduce , including gun-related incidents in underserved communities. He has stated that and economic deprivation directly contribute to criminal activity, positioning anti-poverty policies as a superior alternative to traditional law enforcement strategies. In representing East New York, a district encompassing the 75th Precinct—which recorded 48 shootings and 58 gun victims in the first half of 2022—Barron has criticized the NYPD for abusive practices while prioritizing community-based prevention over additional funding for officers. He opposed Mayor Eric Adams's push for increased police resources in 2022, accusing it of undermining professed commitments to despite rising rates in the area. Barron has described the 75th Precinct as "the worst of the worst" in its treatment of residents, highlighting historical tensions between local policing and community relations. Barron has been a vocal opponent of stop-and-frisk tactics, warning in 2012 that failure to reform them could lead to unrest in Black communities and labeling former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton, appointed in 2013, as the "architect of " behind the policy. He supported broader accountability measures, including historical pushes for bans—enacted in various forms by the NYPD prior to statewide legislation—and participated in protests following incidents like the 2014 death of Akai Gurley, demanding the arrest of the involved officer and the resignation of Commissioner . His stance has drawn accusations from opponents of aligning with "defund the police" efforts, as reflected in 2021 campaign ads portraying him as favoring reduced NYPD budgets amid Brooklyn's gun violence surge; Barron has framed such critiques as overlooking the need for systemic economic interventions to address crime's underlying causes.

Cultural and historical issues

Barron has consistently advocated for reparations to descendants of enslaved Africans as redress for the historical institution of , emphasizing New York's role as the second-largest slaveholding state in during the colonial and early republic periods. In a 2023 speech, he highlighted the juxtaposition of American independence celebrations in 1776 with the ongoing enslavement of Africans, arguing that "while was stitching the American flag, we were still catching stitches in ." He framed not merely as emancipation commemoration but as an explicit demand for , stating that "no amount of money can repair and ease the effects of the death machine of " yet such payments are morally required to address intergenerational harm. Barron co-sponsored early initiatives in to study and implement reparations, asserting that "you have to repair a historical wrong" through compensation for centuries of unpaid labor and systemic deprivation. In critiquing European exploration and colonization, Barron has denounced as a "murderer, colonist, [and] racist" unfit for heroic commemoration, rejecting the narrative of "discovery" for lands already inhabited by . During a 2017 press conference at in , he called for replacing with and removing Columbus statues, legislation he introduced in the . Barron argued that Columbus "never stepped foot on American soil" in the modern sense and that honoring him perpetuates a falsified history ignoring native and . His position aligns with broader Pan-Africanist critiques of Western historical narratives, viewing them as tools to marginalize African and indigenous contributions while glorifying oppressors. Barron has pushed for reforms in public education to center African heritage and black history, proposing mandates for in required curricula during his City Council tenure. Influenced by his involvement in the African-centered education movement of the , he emphasized teaching resistance to oppression as core to black identity, as in his 2023 Black History Month remarks that "resistance is not letting anyone define who and what we are." This reflects his long-standing promotion of cultural through historical narratives of African agency, contrasting with what he sees as Eurocentric curricula that downplay slavery's legacy and black revolutionary traditions.

Controversies and criticisms

Associations with controversial figures

Barron joined the Harlem chapter of the in 1969 at age 18, where he distributed the party's newspaper and participated in community outreach efforts such as soup kitchens, , and coat drives. The , founded in 1966, advocated armed self-defense against police brutality and engaged in survival programs for black communities, but it became controversial for its militant rhetoric, confrontations with , and internal violence that led to the deaths of several members and police officers during the late 1960s and 1970s. Barron has described the group's 10-point program—demanding freedom, full employment, and an end to police brutality—as aligning with his ongoing political goals. Throughout his career, Barron maintained ties to the New Black Panther Party (NBPP), a black separatist group designated as a hate organization by the for promoting antisemitic and anti-white ideologies. In August 2010, he appeared publicly in alongside NBPP leaders and King Samir Shabazz, both known for inflammatory rhetoric including calls for violence against non-blacks. Barron supported NBPP-affiliated candidate Divine Allah's 2010 City Council bid in , and in 2003 presented a New York City Council proclamation to the NBPP while serving as an honorary co-convener of the Million Youth March in , an event featuring antisemitic speakers. Barron has repeatedly associated with , leader of the (NOI), whose organization has been criticized for antisemitic teachings, including references to as "bloodsuckers" and promoters of a Jewish "gutter religion." In a 1999 appearance on , Barron defended Farrakhan, stating, " is not a racist… I support Farrakhan," despite Farrakhan's history of derogatory remarks about , whites, and homosexuals. He attended the NOI-organized "Millions March in " rally with Farrakhan in August 2011, promoted it on , and received a "Man of the Year" award from the NOI's New York chapter. Barron also joined NOI regional leader Kevin Muhammad and NBPP's Shabazz onstage at a fundraiser. Additionally, he attended the 2001 memorial for , a former NOI spokesman expelled for extreme antisemitic statements, whom Barron has praised as influential. Barron has repeatedly equated Israeli policies toward Gaza with Nazi atrocities. In a July 2009 interview with Amsterdam News, he stated that conditions in Gaza resembled "the same kind of conditions the Nazis imposed on the ," referring to restrictions on movement and access to goods. This comparison drew condemnation from groups like the , which described it as trivializing . In June 2010, amid Israel's blockade of Gaza following Hamas's takeover, Barron escalated his rhetoric at a rally outside the Israeli Consulate in , labeling "the biggest terrorist in the world" and calling Gaza a "death camp." He demanded an end to U.S. to and accused it of "" in response to the interception of a Gaza-bound , where nine activists died in clashes with Israeli commandos. During a interview days earlier, he reiterated that Gaza operated as a "concentration camp." Barron has advocated for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against . In 2016, he delivered a lengthy speech opposing a resolution condemning BDS, framing it as a legitimate response to Israeli policies rather than economic warfare. His stance aligned him with pro-Palestinian activists protesting the measure. Following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, Barron blamed Israel during a New York City Council meeting on October 19, declaring himself "1000% pro-Palestinian" and attributing the violence to Israel's "occupation" and failure to "end the oppression." He argued that Palestinian resistance would continue until territorial concessions were made, rejecting condemnations of Hamas. These positions intensified scrutiny during Barron's 2012 congressional campaign, where opponents including former Mayor and Rep. Jerrold Nadler highlighted his rhetoric as anti-Semitic and delegitimizing of , prompting endorsements from figures like in response—though Barron disavowed the latter. Jewish advocacy groups, such as the , documented his associations with anti- coalitions like and events praising Hamas-linked convoys. Barron maintained that his critiques targeted Israeli government actions, not collectively.

Electoral and ideological critiques

Barron's electoral challenges stem from his difficulty expanding beyond a loyal but narrow activist base in East New York, leading to defeats in races requiring broader coalitions or external resources. In the June 27, 2023, Democratic primary for District 42—a special triggered by —Barron, after over two decades in office, lost to 28-year-old challenger Chris Banks by 437 votes out of 5,958 cast, with Banks securing 52% in initial ranked-choice tallies. Local voters cited Barron's perceived absence from routine district needs, such as elevator malfunctions and rising shootings, and his late, reactive campaigning as signs of overconfidence and detachment, contrasting with Banks' grassroots engagement as an after-school program worker. A similar pattern emerged in Barron's 2012 bid for , where he surged early but fell to , who outraised him $770,000 to $114,000 and appealed to moderates wary of Barron's extremism. Analysts attribute these failures to Barron's dependence on low-turnout primaries fueled by intense but limited support from groups like the December 12th Movement, which proves inadequate against well-funded opponents or shifting voter priorities toward competence over ideology. Ideologically, Barron's self-described Black radical , rooted in activism and , emphasizes anti-imperialist revolution over incremental reform, drawing fire for reviving 1960s-era that prioritizes confrontation with "white-dominated" institutions. Critics, including Democratic establishment figures, argue this framework—evident in his praise for leaders like and , and calls for reparations enforced through personal confrontation—fosters division rather than viable policy, alienating moderates and undermining party unity. Barron's pre-2010s opposition to , articulated in 2011 as belief in unions "between a man and a woman," further highlighted his divergence from progressive orthodoxy, prompting rebukes from organizations like MoveOn.org and contributing to his congressional loss against Jeffries, a cosponsor of legalization efforts. Detractors contend such positions, combined with indifference to passing legislation ("I don’t care if I get a single bill passed"), prioritize symbolic agitation over governance, rendering his ideology electorally self-limiting in diverse urban electorates.

Post-political activities

Reflections on career and party politics

Barron has characterized his decades-long tenure in elected office, spanning over 22 years in the and State Assembly, as the work of an "elected activist" who utilized institutional positions to pursue radical objectives alongside tangible community deliverables. He highlighted securing resources for three schools totaling $88 million, renovations, developments such as Plaza, and progressive budget allocations for renters and migrants during the period, while also facilitating the release of three political prisoners: Herman Bell, Hayes, and . Barron emphasized that a core goal was to model for Black officials the feasibility of maintaining uncompromised radicalism—"Black and radical for your people and liberation"—without sacrificing service delivery, despite frequent isolation in votes against city budgets. Reflecting on intraparty dynamics, Barron attributed career hurdles, including his 2023 Assembly primary loss to Chris Banks by 3,100 to 2,600 votes amid low turnout of 6,000, to opposition from Democratic machine elements like and historical figures such as Ed Towns, whom he accused of prioritizing power over community needs. He expressed profound disappointment in protégés like Mayor , a former mentee, for shifting toward and police alliances post-election, including support for cash bail and disproportionate placement of homeless shelters in Black neighborhoods, viewing such alignments as betrayals of radical roots. Barron has consistently critiqued the Democratic Party as an inadequate vehicle for Black self-determination, arguing it sustains the status quo by co-opting activists into reformist roles rather than enabling systemic overhaul. He described party-led initiatives, such as police reforms or diluted reparations legislation, as "pathetic" and insufficient, often requiring independent pushes like his advocacy for a people's commission on reparations after a state bill was amended to his dissatisfaction. In response, Barron envisions constructing a national Black-led political party focused on anti-capitalist structures, community control via land trusts and cooperatives, and liberation agendas, tactically employing Democratic primaries only until such independence is viable; through Operation P.O.W.E.R., he plans nationwide organizing to foster this movement while leaving open future candidacies.

Ongoing commentary and advocacy (2023–2025)

Following his defeat in the Democratic primary for District 42 on June 27, 2023, Barron concluded his term on December 31, 2023, after which he shifted focus to public commentary and advocacy. In interviews and op-eds, he critiqued the Democratic Party's alignment with interests, advocating for an independent radical political movement to address issues like and electoral representation. For instance, in a July 2025 analysis of the New York City mayoral race, Barron argued that candidates like failed to secure sufficient voter support due to insufficient engagement with community needs, emphasizing the need for autonomous organizing over reliance on party machinery. Barron maintained advocacy on economic , linking directly to urban violence. In a February 2023 community talk hosted by the Neighborhood Association, he asserted that "the roots of violence is ," calling for equity-based economic policies over punitive measures to reduce in East New York. This theme persisted post-office; in a December 2023 , he reflected on his career's emphasis on anti- initiatives as essential to crime reduction, criticizing Mayor ' administration for insufficient progressive commitments despite earlier promises. On foreign policy, Barron continued opposing U.S. sanctions regimes. In a January 21, 2025, City & State New York op-ed, he praised the City Council's 2023 resolution urging an end to economic and travel sanctions on , framing them as tools of imperialist control that exacerbate suffering without achieving policy goals, and called for broader municipal solidarity with sanctioned nations. He also participated in public forums, such as a December 2023 intergenerational dialogue at UPROSE's Climate Justice Center, where he discussed sustaining Black Panther-inspired activism amid ongoing global inequalities. Barron's post-office efforts included joint appearances with his wife, former Assemblymember Inez Barron, to strategize beyond electoral politics. In a 2024 City & State New York discussion, they outlined plans to build alternative structures, disparaging mainstream Democratic tactics and prioritizing community-based power over party loyalty. These activities underscore his pivot to ideological mentorship and critique, aiming to foster radical independence in Brooklyn's political landscape.

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  76. https://www.adl.org/sites/default/files/Charles_Barron_Backgrounder-NW.pdf
  77. https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/an-anti-semite-for-congress
  78. https://misiones.cubaminrex.cu/en/articulo/cuba-commemorating-70-years-moncada-attack-jamaican-perspective
  79. https://r8ny.com/2011/11/20/chuck-barron-human-rights-zero/
  80. https://www.gothamgazette.com/state/9648-pathetic-response-charles-inez-barron-protest-police-reform-new-york-black-politics
  81. https://nypost.com/2022/07/28/what-do-police-defunders-have-to-say-to-brooklyns-75th-precinct/
  82. https://www.vitalcitynyc.org/articles/sic-the-parking-police-on-the-nypd
  83. https://amsterdamnews.com/news/2022/01/06/i-will-continue-to-stand-on-principle-for-the-people/
  84. https://observer.com/2012/02/at-raucous-rally-pols-advocates-push-for-stop-and-frisk-reform/
  85. https://amsterdamnews.com/news/2013/12/12/black-community-responds-bill-bratton-appointment/
  86. https://www.nyccfb.info/ftmsearch/IEDS/107-205-C6900.pdf
  87. https://amsterdamnews.com/news/2023/07/27/repartaions-case-made-by-charles-barron/
  88. https://wordinblack.com/2023/06/juneteenth-is-a-demand-for-reparations/
  89. https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/27/nyregion/neighborhood-report-new-york-up-close-what-s-cost-freedom-what-about-slavery.html
  90. https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20171009/columbus-circle/assemblymember-barron-calls-indigenous-peoples-day
  91. https://amsterdamnews.com/news/2018/10/04/charles-barron-christopher-columbus/
  92. https://wordinblack.com/2023/02/black-history-month-2023-resistance-is-revolutionary/
  93. https://www.discoverthenetworks.org/individuals/charles-barron/
  94. https://wiesenthal.org/news/about/news/nyc-councilman-slams-israel.html
  95. https://mondoweiss.net/2016/09/bds-protests-nyc/
  96. https://forward.com/community/350175/despite-fierce-protestors-new-york-city-council-overwhelmingly-condemns-bds/
  97. https://forward.com/fast-forward/157650/congressional-candidate-charles-barron-slammed/
  98. https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2011/11/charles-barron-opposes-same-sex-marriage-fake-entries-on-his-wikipedia-page-000896
  99. https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/what-we-can-learn-from-charles-barron
  100. https://www.politico.com/newsletters/new-york-playbook/2023/12/22/charles-barrons-exit-interview-00133032
  101. https://kpfa.org/episode/hard-knock-radio-june-25-2025/
  102. https://d12m.com/archive-post/the-roots-of-violence-is-poverty-a-talk-by-charles-barron-for-community-black-history-month/
  103. https://www.cityandstateny.com/voices/charles-barron/26824/
  104. https://www.uprose.org/event/an-intergenerational-conversation-with-brooklyns-black-panther-charles-barron/
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