Former New York City councilman Bill Perkins has passed away, he was 74 years old.
Reports state that Mayor Eric Adams called Perkins a Giant in Harlem. He tweeted, “Harlem has lost a giant. Bill Perkins was a legend of the New York government. He was also a good friend. I will miss his company and his counsel.”
Perkins became a big name in politics for his leading progressive voice, being a supporter of the Central Park Five, and for being the voice against the Iraq War and standing for LGBT rights. The announcement of his passing was made by his wife, Pamela Green Perkins.
In a statement she wrote, “After a lifetime fighting for justice, equality and to make the voices of our community heard, my husband, former City Councilman, and State Senator Perkins died at home in Harlem, the community he loved and fought for his entire life. May he rest in peace and in power.”
His cause of death has not been determined yet, but he has reportedly suffered from dementia, according to Richard Fife, the spokesman for the family.
Bil Perkins was officially elected to the city City Council in 1998 where he would serve three terms. He left to work as a state senator in Albany for ten years before returning to City Council for two more terms. He finally left the government in 2021.
Charles Rangel, Former Rep, also spoke on his friend, “He was a hard-working official and he served this community well. It didn’t mean he agreed with everybody, but he always had the people first in his thoughts.”
Rangel added, “He will be missed by all of us who knew and worked with him.” Our thoughts and prayers are with Bill Perkins’s family members and loved ones.