The World's 50 Greatest Leaders

Rank
29
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William J. Barber II

WGL05.19-Rev William Barber
June 23, 2018 - Washington, DC, U.S. - The Rev. WILLIAM BARBER waits at the U.S. Capitol as the Poor People's Campaign holds a rally and march on the National Mall following 40 days of protest and civil disobedience across the country. (Credit Image: © Jay Mallin/ZUMA Wire)Jay Mallin—ZUMA
  • Title
    Pastor and Activist
  • Affiliation
    The Poor People's Campaign

Barber sees such issues as poverty, racism, and voter suppression as moral matters, with unethical treatment of people as their common theme. His “Moral Monday” protests at North Carolina’s State House have drawn thousands of marchers in recent years. Last year he revived the Poor People’s Campaign, originally launched by Martin Luther King Jr., to take his message nationwide.