AFTER appeals to several leaders of the United States, including the man dubbed America’s first black president, Bill Clinton, and the official first black president, Barack Obama, it took an 82-year-old white man from Delaware, the 46th president of the US, to finally act on calls to pardon Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Jamaica’s first national hero.

In his last full day in office Biden pardoned Garvey and four others, and commuted the sentences of two people who he said demonstrated remorse, rehabilitation, and redemption.

In the official communiqué from the White House, Biden noted that 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 (UNIA), which celebrated African history and culture,” said Biden.

“Dr Martin Luther King, Jr described Mr Garvey as ‘the first man of colour 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,” he continued.

For years Garvey’s son, Dr Julius Garvey, members of the UNIA, the Jamaican Government, and the Caribbean community tirelessly advocated for the national hero to be pardoned, but their requests were not granted.

In his response, Prime Minister Andrew Holness expressed deep gratitude to Biden for his decision to pardon the national hero. He said that Garvey’s pardon is a “first step” to exoneration and represents a victory, not just for Jamaica, but for justice, truth, and humanity.

“Today, January 19, 2025, will forever be remembered as a day of triumph for justice and a proud moment for the people of Jamaica. The removal of the unjust stain on Marcus Garvey’s name restores the full dignity and honour he has always deserved as a champion of freedom, empowerment, and equality,” said Holness in a statement.

“As we celebrate today, let us recommit to carrying forward Garvey’s vision of unity, progress, and empowerment for all. His legacy is a testament to the strength and greatness of Jamaica and its people. May his life and work continue to inspire us to build a more just, united, and equitable world,” added Holness.

He said that Garvey embodied the indomitable spirit of Jamaica, and this clemency is considered, “the first step towards the total exoneration and expungement of this historical injustice”.

He argued that the Jamaican Government has also expressed an unwavering commitment to preserving the honour and legacy of those who fought for justice and equality, through the clearing of records of Jamaica’s national heroes who were “wrongfully convicted in the struggle for our freedom”.

The prime minister said this was achieved through the passing of the National Heroes and other Freedom Fighters (Absolution from Criminal Liability in Respect of Specified Acts) Act, 2018.

Garvey’s pardon was also welcomed by former Prime Minister PJ Patterson, who noted that after countless appeals and persistent lobbying to successive US presidents, Biden has done what others failed to do.

“Legal scholars have been contending that it is really an exoneration he should get because the trial was unjust. But let’s not make perfection the enemy of the good. What I want to draw attention to is the portion of Biden’s statement where he acknowledges that legal advocates have been talking about the injustice which prevailed throughout the trial, so that helps to make the pardon more effective,” Patterson told the Jamaica Observer.

“It couldn’t come at a better time because Martin Luther King Jr Day is tomorrow [today], and he is quoted as saying Marcus Garvey was the person who made him understand equal dignity,” added Patterson as he noted that the Congressional Black Caucus, led by Yvette Clarke, was at the forefront of this movement.

For his part, president of the People’s National Party (PNP), Opposition Leader Mark Golding said the pardon by Biden corrects “a grave historical miscarriage of justice that resulted from an illegal, intelligence-led operation designed to disable the influential 19th century pan-Africanist movement — the UNIA — that had captured the imagination of hundreds of thousands of people of African descent”.

“President Biden’s action acknowledges the profound impact that Garvey had in shaping the narratives of freedom, equality, and justice. Garvey’s principles of unity and self-determination served to solidify and embolden the mandate of social justice movements in Africa and its diaspora, and will also encourage a new generation of pan-Africanist advocates to assume a mantle of leadership with a renewed sense of purpose,” said Golding.

He added that the decision also serves as a call to action for African people to advance Garvey’s agenda, and is a vindication of the principles of the national hero.

“Let us continue to draw inspiration from his life and work, pushing forward with strength and unity as we strive for a brighter, more just future for all. The willingness to right historical wrongs not only restores honour to Marcus Garvey but also paves the way for future dialogues on race, equality, and justice. Let us honour this legacy by working together towards a more equitable and inclusive world,” he urged.

While commending President Biden on his decision to pardon the civil rights activist, Minister of Culture Olivia Grange said work must continue to ensure Garvey is exonerated.

“A pardon is an act of forgiveness that relieves someone of the consequences of a crime. However, only an exoneration can declare someone innocent,” noted Grange

She argued that Garvey’s trial and conviction were meant to tarnish his image and diminish his global movement, and stressed that his name must be cleared completely.

“Marcus Garvey was a formidable advocate for the rights of black people and leader of the largest black movement in history. It was no surprise when Garvey caught the attention of federal agencies in the racially charged United States of America. It was no surprise when Garvey was charged with mail fraud, imprisoned, tried, and deported,” said the minister.

“I welcome President Biden’s decision, which represents a major victory in the struggle to clear Garvey’s name. We must welcome the pardon wholeheartedly. However, we maintain that Garvey’s actions were not criminal actions but were acts of liberation with moral justification.

“Therefore, what we need is an expungement of Garvey’s record in America, similar to what was done by the Jamaican Parliament. We have been on this journey for a very long time, and we must continue the advocacy for the removal of this criminal record against our hero,” she insisted.

The case against Garvey, though centred on mail fraud charges, is believed to be marked by prosecutorial overreach and judicial bias.

It is reported that despite charges being levelled against four UNIA officers, Garvey alone was convicted by an all-white jury.

Meanwhile, Carlos Daley, chairman of Jamaica Patriotic Movement, pointed out that Garvey inspired many black icons worldwide.

“He inspired the late Norman Manley and provided the revolutionary framework for the fight for our political independence from Britain. It is with gratitude that we welcome this gift as a nucleus for our struggle as we advance,” said Daley in response to Garvey’s pardon.

Faith Anderson, acting director of Liberty Hall: The Legacy of Marcus Garvey — a museum that served as the venue of UNIA meetings in Garvey’s time — was overwhelmed with emotion as she shared that the pardon of Jamaica’s first national hero was long overdue.

“We know that Marcus Garvey’s charges were, to put it loosely, a way just to deter and dismantle an entire organisation, an entire movement, and to mar and blemish his character as a civil rights leader. And this is wonderful news. We are celebrating. There are no words, but I will say this is wonderful,” she told the Observer, her voice laced with excitement.

“In the past two to three weeks I have written extensively. I have done interviews with several journalists overseas, trying to get people on board to push this before Biden concludes his Administration, and it is just amazing,” she said, seemingly in awe and disbelief that the pardon was granted.

Anderson added: “We hope to keep the momentum going because Garvey lives, even today.”

GOLDING…President Biden’s action acknowledges the profound impact that Garvey had in shaping the narratives of freedom, equality, and justice. Garvey’s principles of unity and self-determination served to solidify and embolden the mandate of social justice movements in Africa and its diaspora, and will also encourage a new generation of pan-Africanist advocates to assume a mantle of leadership with a renewed sense of purpose

PATTERSON… what I want to draw attention to is the portion of Biden’s statement where he acknowledges that legal advocates have been talking about the injustice which prevailed throughout the trial, so that helps to make the pardon more effective (Photo: Naphtali Junior)

DALEY… it is with gratitude that we welcome this gift as a nucleus for our struggle as we advance (Photo: Joseph Wellington)