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Annapolis community honors activist who died from COVID-19

Posted at 9:51 PM, Aug 04, 2020
and last updated 2020-08-04 23:15:48-04

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The name Robert Eades is forever etched in Annapolis history at the MLK memorial on Calvert Street.

“He grew up in a neighborhood not far from here where he could see daily what oppression and degradation did to people’s lives,” said Carl Snowden, The Chairman Caucus of African American Leaders.

He was a lifelong civil rights leader who frequented City Hall and became one of the great foot soldiers of reform.

“Politically he was connected,” said Kenneth Kirby. “He could always lead that fight in fact somebody who didn’t have a voice needed a voice they would often times go to Robert Eades. Especially if it concerned an issue of public housing.”

On Monday, Eades died after battling COVID-19 in the hospital.

“So close to my age I’m 65. When it starts to be be people that you really know it’s different,” said Kirby.

He ran a Boys and Girls Club for at risk children and leaves behind a legacy or service.

“In 1996 Robert helped to organize one of the largest anti demonstrations against police relevant to misconduct,” Snowden said. “Roberts been on the forefront for more than 25 years.”

Eades is survived by his seven beloved children, his grandchildren, and his fiancé.