Rev Calvin O Butts III, pastor who fought poverty and racism, dies aged 73

Butts was senior pastor at Abyssinian Baptist church in Harlem for decades and worked with many different political leaders

The Rev Calvin O Butts III, who fought poverty and racism and skillfully navigated New York's power structure as pastor of Harlem's historic Abyssinian Baptist church, died on Friday at age 73, the church announced.

The Butts family and entire Abyssinian Baptist church membership solicit your prayers for us in our bereavement," the church said on its website. No cause of death was given.