In a historic ruling on Sunday, President Joe Biden pardoned five public workers and activists, including the well-known civil rights developer Marcus Garvey, who received a death mercy grant. Now known for his enduring impact on Black freedom, Garvey organized the Black nationalist movement before being found guilty of mail fraud in 1923.
For decades, appeals for justice have focused on Garvey’s conviction, which many civil rights activists have long maintained was racially motivated. According to his supporters, the accusations were made up to stop him from being an activist. Therefore, The pardon is a crucial phase in making up for this historical crime.
Biden’s Focus on Redemption
Along with Marcus Garvey’s posthumous pardon, Biden shortened the life sentences of two people serving life terms for 1990s crimes: Michelle West and Robin Peoples. Civil rights organizations strongly backed both, and their sentences were shortened with the understanding that they would be released the following month.
This most recent act of clemency highlights Biden’s continued efforts to rectify the inequities in the criminal justice system, especially for minority communities. Biden has prioritized overturning unfair convictions and providing second chances, issuing more individual pardons and commutations than any other president.
“During a visit to Charleston, South Carolina’s Royal Missionary Baptist Church, Biden said, “We know how recovering from harm is a pathway to the kind of communities we want to live in, where fairness, justice, and accountability thrive.”
Garvey’s Legacy and the Call for Justice
Generations of Black leaders, including Nelson Mandela and Malcolm X, have been influenced by Marcus Garvey’s life and contributions. As the founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in 1914 and the first Black-owned international shipping enterprise, Black Star Line, he is frequently regarded as the epitome of Black empowerment.
Garvey had a huge impact even though he was found guilty on specious grounds. His writings encouraged Black Americans to go back to their African ancestry and stressed racial pride and the value of self-determination. Marcus Garvey died in London in 1940 after being deported to Jamaica following his trial. His children, civil rights activists, and legislators demanded his exoneration for decades.
Anthony Pierce, a lawyer for the Marcus Garvey family, stated, “This decision reflects that the country has finally done the right thing by Marcus Garvey.” His conviction had legal errors, and this pardon demonstrates the country’s capacity to right historical wrongs.”
The Broader Impact of Clemency
Biden has extended his mercy efforts beyond Marcus Garvey’s case. Along with shortening sentences for Peoples and West, Biden also pardoned several other people, such as well-known immigration activist Ravi Ragbir and gun violence prevention advocate Darryl Chambers.
Kemba Smith, a criminal justice advocate who received a 24.5-year jail term for a violent offense, is one famous example. Smith, who was expecting when she was arrested, came to represent the movement to stop Black women from being incarcerated in large numbers. She has devoted her life to promoting justice reform after her sentence was shortened in 2000.
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A Step Toward Healing and Reconciliation
In addition to being legal wins for the parties concerned, Biden’s mercy rulings in the latter weeks of his presidency also serve as a larger criticism of the failures of the criminal justice system. These activities underscore the systemic injustices that continue to impact marginalized groups, as stated by Janai Nelson, president of the NAACP Legal Defence Fund.
Nelson said, “This list speaks to the larger story of our criminal justice system’s failures, not just individual acts of mercy.”
These commutations and pardons highlight Biden’s dedication to justice, equity, and the possibility of cleansing as they continue to influence his legacy. These acts give many people hope for a more equitable future and a sense of healing.