Marcus Garvey Posthumously Pardoned: Justice for Jamaica’s First National Hero

(Montego Bay, Jamaica)

Posted: January 19, 2025 | 5:15pm

In a monumental act of clemency, United States President Joe Biden has issued a posthumous pardon to Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Jamaica’s first National Hero. The pardon, announced on January 19, 2025, comes 101 years after Garvey’s controversial 1923 conviction for mail fraud—a case widely criticized for its racial and political undertones.

Garvey, the founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), was a towering figure in the Black nationalist movement. He championed the economic and social empowerment of Black people globally, inspiring leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, and Nelson Mandela. His efforts laid the groundwork for the modern civil rights movement and planted seeds of racial pride and liberation that continue to resonate worldwide.

A Long Fight for Justice

Garvey’s conviction has long been contested as a miscarriage of justice. Civil rights advocates, legal experts, and lawmakers have argued that the charges were racially motivated, with flawed evidence used to discredit and silence the influential leader. In 1927, President Calvin Coolidge commuted Garvey’s sentence, but the stain of the conviction remained.

Decades of advocacy followed, including persistent calls from Garvey’s descendants, prominent lawmakers, and activists. Democratic Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, played a key role in leading efforts to exonerate Garvey. She argued that the conviction was a result of governmental misconduct designed to undermine his advocacy for racial equity.

A letter from Clarke and 22 Congressional colleagues to President Biden in May 2023 highlighted prosecutorial misconduct and urged Garvey’s pardon. The Congressional Black Caucus supported the effort, framing the conviction as a glaring example of racial injustice.

Biden’s Historic Decision

President Biden’s decision reflects his administration’s broader commitment to addressing systemic disparities in the U.S. justice system. During a visit to Royal Missionary Baptist Church in South Carolina, Biden emphasized the importance of redemption and the need to correct past injustices.

“The country knows how to fix a wrong,” said Anthony Pierce, the Garvey family’s lawyer. “This pardon not only acknowledges the legal infirmities of the conviction but also serves as a moral victory.”

A White House statement underscored Garvey’s significant contributions, including the founding of the Black Star Line—the first Black-owned international shipping line—and the UNIA, which celebrated African history and culture while promoting racial pride and self-determination.

Garvey’s Enduring Legacy

Garvey’s impact on the global Black community remains profound. His rallying cry for economic independence, cultural pride, and unity among people of African descent inspired millions across more than 40 countries. Martin Luther King Jr. once described him as “the first man on a mass scale to give millions to Negroes and make the Negro feel he was somebody.”

Despite his unjust conviction, Garvey’s influence only grew. His teachings became a cornerstone of Black liberation movements, and his vision of an empowered African diaspora continues to inspire new generations.

In 1969, Jamaica conferred upon Garvey its highest honor, the Order of the National Hero. His remains were repatriated to Jamaica in 1964 and now rest in the National Heroes Park in Kingston.

Calls for Exoneration Continue

While the pardon represents a significant step, many, including Congresswoman Clarke and Garvey’s descendants, continue to advocate for a full exoneration to clear his name entirely.
In a statement, Garvey’s granddaughter, Nzinga Garvey, described the conviction as “a reminder of how the overreach of power can be weaponized to silence voices seeking fairness, equity, and accountability.”

Garvey’s story is a testament to the enduring fight for justice and the power of perseverance. President Biden’s historic pardon not only vindicates the legacy of Marcus Garvey but also serves as a powerful reminder of the need for ongoing vigilance against racial injustice.

References

1. Erica L. Green. "Biden Pardons Five More, Including the Civil Rights Leader Marcus Garvey." The New York Times, January 19, 2025.


2. Jamaica Gleaner. "Biden Issues Posthumous Pardon for Marcus Garvey," January 19, 2025.

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