by Mell P
In a historic moment for justice and racial pride, and on his last day in office, President Joe Biden on Sunday posthumously pardoned Marcus Garvey, the iconic Black nationalist leader who inspired generations, including civil rights pioneers like Malcolm X and the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Garvey’s pardon marks the culmination of decades of advocacy by his family, supporters, and historians, who have long argued that his 1923 mail fraud conviction was a politically motivated attempt to silence his growing influence.
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A statement on clemency actions on whitehouse.gov reads:
Marcus Mosiah Garvey (1887-1940) was a renowned civil rights and human rights leader who was convicted of mail fraud in 1923, and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment. President Calvin Coolidge commuted his sentence in 1927. Notably, Mr. Garvey created the Black Star Line, the first Black-owned shipping line and method of international travel, and founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association, which celebrated African history and culture. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. described Mr. Garvey as “the first man of color in the history of the United States to lead and develop a mass movement.” Advocates and lawmakers praise his global advocacy and impact, and highlight the injustice underlying his criminal conviction.
The tireless push to clear Garvey’s name has been ongoing for decades, led by his family and a coalition of scholars, activists, and political leaders. Garvey’s descendants, including his son, Dr. Julius Garvey, have passionately called for the U.S. government to recognize the unjust nature of the conviction. In recent years, members of Congress joined the effort, urging Biden to issue the pardon as a step toward justice.
“Marcus Garvey’s legacy is one of empowerment and liberation,” said a White House spokesperson. “This pardon acknowledges the profound impact of his work and the injustice he endured.”
In May 2024, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY) led 22 of her colleagues in a letter to President Biden calling for the exoneration of Marcus Mosiah Garvey. In the letter she said:
“Nearly 100 years ago, Marcus Garvey was convicted of mail fraud in a case marred by prosecutorial and governmental misconduct. The evidence present and available at our disposal makes it abundantly clear that the charges brought against Mr. Garvey were fraudulent and executed in bad faith. A presidential pardon for Mr. Garvey would not only correct the historical record, but also shift the narrative at a time when African-American history faces the existential threat of erasure by extreme, far-right state legislatures.”
Last year, the Kingston and St. Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC) in Jamaica announced plans to name its council chambers in honor of Jamaica’s first national hero, Marcus Mosiah Garvey. The official naming ceremony took place on August 17, Garvey’s birthday, during a special council sitting which was unanimously supported by councillors, was proposed by Eugene Kelly, councillor of the Whitfield Town Division, and seconded by Deputy Mayor Delroy Williams.
A Symbolic Moment for Black History
Garvey’s pardon is a profound recognition of his contributions to racial justice and the injustices he faced. For his family, this decision is both a personal victory and a step toward righting a historical wrong.
His son, Dr. Julius Garvey has always maintained that this fight “is about acknowledging the systemic efforts to suppress Black voices and leadership throughout history”.
As the nation reflects on this significant moment, Garvey’s story serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for racial equality. His pardon is a testament to the resilience of those who refuse to let history forget the voices that fought for freedom, pride, and progress.
Garvey, a Jamaican-born leader, spearheaded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), a movement that promoted racial pride, economic self-sufficiency, and the unification of people of African descent worldwide. His message resonated with millions, giving Black communities across the globe a renewed sense of dignity and purpose. As Dr. King once said of him, Garvey was “the first man, on a mass scale and level” to instill in Black people “a sense of dignity and destiny.”
Yet, as his influence grew, so did the scrutiny and opposition. Garvey was convicted of mail fraud under questionable circumstances, a charge many believe was orchestrated to undermine his movement. After serving time in prison, he was deported to Jamaica, where he continued his work until his death in 1940.
Garvey’s pardon was one of several granted by President Biden on Sunday. Among those pardoned were advocates for immigrant rights, criminal justice reform, and gun violence prevention, as well as Virginia lawmaker Joe Morrissey. These acts of clemency come as Biden solidifies his record as the president who has issued the most individual pardons and commutations in U.S. history.
Biden recently commuted the sentences of nearly 2,500 individuals convicted of nonviolent drug offenses and converted 37 federal death row sentences to life imprisonment. These actions reflect his administration’s broader commitment to criminal justice reform, even as his term nears its end.
*This is an ongoing story. Statements from the family and others will be updated as we receive comments.
