Plea to President Biden signed by several Members of Congress
Over twenty House Democrats, led by Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, have taken a bold step in advocating for justice by urging President Joe Biden to exonerate Marcus Garvey, legendary Pan-African leader and trailblazer in the fight for Black empowerment and self-determination.
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In the powerful letter to the president, the legislators emphasized the enduring impact of Garvey’s legacy and the need to right the historical wrong of his 1923 conviction for the fraudulent use of mail, which many believe was politically motivated. This appeal seeks to honor Garvey’s contributions to civil rights and the global Black liberation movement by clearing his name and restoring his rightful place in history.
The letter reads:
Dear President Biden,
As the historic Biden-Harris administration comes to an end, we respectfully express our strong support for the exoneration of Mr. Marcus Mosiah Garvey’s 1923 conviction for fraudulent use of the mail which was submitted to your administration.
Mr. Garvey was a Jamaican-born Pan-Africanist leader who led one of the earliest Black Civil Rights movements in the Americas. Mr. Garvey founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) to challenge racial inequality and inspired millions worldwide as a tireless advocate for Black self-determination and economic independence. Through the UNIA, Mr. Garvey established the Black Star Line, one of the first Black-owned shipping companies, which connected Black entrepreneurs across the Americas. Mr. Garvey published the Negro World Newspaper which, at its peak, reached a circulation of 200,000 readers weekly. Finally, Mr. Garvey authored the “Declaration of Rights of the Negro Peoples of the World” to advocate for better treatment of Black people globally.
Exactly 101 years ago, Mr. Garvey was convicted of mail fraud in a case that was marred by prosecutorial and governmental misconduct. The evidence paints an abundantly clear narrative that the charges against Mr. Garvey were not only fabricated but also targeted to criminalize, discredit, and silence him as a civil rights leader. In response to this blatant injustice, President Calvin Coolidge commuted Mr. Garvey’s sentence upon eligibility. Efforts to clear Garvey’s name have persisted for decades. In 1987, under Congressman John Conyers’ leadership, the House Judiciary Committee held hearings on Mr. Garvey’s exoneration. In 2004, Congressman Charles Rangel introduced a series of resolutions calling attention to the injustice, followed by Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke’s recent efforts to continue these strides. Despite these efforts, Garvey’s name has not yet been cleared.
Exonerating Mr. Garvey would honor his work for the Black community, remove the shadow of an unjust conviction, and further your administration’s promise to advance racial justice. At a time when Black history faces the existential threat of erasure by radical state legislatures, a presidential pardon for Mr. Garvey would correct the historical record and restore the legacy of an American hero. As we approach the conclusion of your administration, this moment provides a chance to leave an indelible mark on history.
We thank you for your time and consideration of this important matter.
In light of President Biden’s decision to commute the sentences of 37 individuals on death row, Rep. Clarke said,”I am pleased to hear the Biden Administration has continued its diligent work in criminal justice reform by reclassifying the death sentences of 37 individuals to life without the possibility of parole…I ask that he continue to review possible pardons and commutations during his remaining time in office, and that he take any additional steps available to further build a nation that upholds its highest ideals.”
We await a response from the White House on this matter.
