Jamaica Welcomes Posthumous Pardon of National Hero

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Jamaica on Sunday welcomed the decision by outgoing United States President Joe Biden to posthumously pardon national hero Marcus Mosiah Garvey after many years of campaigning and urging Washington to do so.
First National Hero of Jamaica Marcus Mosiah Garvey posthumously pardoned by outgoing US President Joe BidenPrime Minister Andrew Holness hailed the announcement as a “proud and historic day” for Jamaica adding that it was the “first step towards total exoneration”.
“As Prime Minister, I consider this clemency a first step toward the total exoneration and expungement of this historical injustice,” the Prime Minister said
In 2018, Jamaica passed The National Heroes and Other Freedom Fighters (Absolution from Criminal Liability in Respect of Specified Acts) Act, which cleared the records of Jamaica’s National Heroes and freedom fighters who were wrongfully accused and convicted during their struggle for freedom.
“This legislative action reflects Jamaica’s unwavering commitment to preserving the honor and legacy of those who fought for justice and equality” Holness stated while urging Jamaicans to recommit to Garvey’s vision of Unity, progress and empowerment.
As one of his last acts in office, Biden, on Sunday announced that the late civil rights leader was one of five people to receive a Presidential pardon.
The decision on Sunday from the outgoing Democratic leader follows sustained advocacy from several US lawmakers legislators, including Democratic Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke, who chairs the Congressional Black Caucus.
Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants and Brooklyn representative, had led multiple calls for Garvey’s exoneration, arguing the conviction was a result of governmental misconduct aimed at discrediting the influential civil rights leader.
This post humous pardon comes 101 years after Garvey was convicted of mail-fraud in 1923 in a case marred by prosecutorial and governmental misconduct. He was sentenced to 5-years imprisonment – a sentence that was commuted by US President Calvin Coolidge in 1927.
Garvey is credited as the first man to organise a mass movement among African-Americans. He was also the founder of the Black Star Line shipping company and the pan-African organisation Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA).
Robert Montague, Chairman of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) also welcomed the news describing it as an important step that transcends symbolism.
“The conviction of the Right Excellent Marcus Garvey had been widely acknowledged across the globe as without credible basis and unjust. It is indeed an important step which transcends mere symbolism that the United States has moved to formally pardon our first national hero of a criminal conviction.”
Opposition Leader, Mark Golden called the exoneration of Garvey as a correction of a historic wrong stemming from “an illegal, intelligence-led operation” aimed at crippling Garvey’s UNIA.
“President Biden’s action acknowledges the profound impact that Garvey had in shaping the narratives of freedom, equality, and justice,” Golding said.
Golden said Garvey’s legacy continues to embolden social justice movements across Africa and the diaspora while inspiring a new generation of Pan-Africanist advocates.
“His call for a universal African identity, a call for Africans to embrace their true selves and work together for the betterment of their communities, remains as vital today as it was during the early 20th century.”
Democratic lawmakers have lobbied Presidents for decades for a full pardon for Garvey, arguing that the charges against him were politically motivated.