Former mayoral candidate Charles Bowser has died.
Bowser was a lawyer who championed the civil rights of local residents.
He also was on the MOVE commission and helped write the scathing report on how badly the city handled the 1985 bombing of the MOVE compound.
Mayor Michael Nutter issued the following statement Wednesday morning:
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"Charlie Bowser was a great man, a great lawyer, a friend to many, a leader of a movement that led not only to Black empowerment politically, socially and economically, but also brought Blacks, Whites, Latinos and Asians to a better understanding of our united power.
He gave me and many others wise advice, and whenever I saw my neighbor walking down the street or at his home, I knew that I was in the presence of greatness.
This city has suffered a great loss, but we would not be the great city that we are but for Charlie's influence, insight and personal strength. The City and all of us are saddened by his passing, and we will keep his children, Charles Bowser, Jr. and Leslie Bowser Hope, and family in our prayers."
