Honoring Marcus Garvey: A Posthumous Pardon and the Legacy of Advocacy

Marcus Garvey has been posthumously exonerated by President Biden as one of his last pardons before leaving office.

On January 19th, 2025, the White House made a historic announcement. President Joe Biden granted a posthumous pardon to Marcus Garvey, a revered Pan-African leader and Jamaica’s National Hero. This significant act not only acknowledges Garvey’s contributions to the African diaspora but also uplifts his enduring legacy, resonating with the ideals championed by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Center for Global Africa (CGA), a think tank based in Delaware, played a pivotal role in advocating for this pardon. Collaborating with representatives from the Jamaican Diaspora, the CGA mobilized efforts in Biden’s home state to ensure that Garvey’s legacy was recognized and honored. The CGA, along with its supporters, celebrates this moment as a testament to the power of collective advocacy and the importance of remembering those who fought for dignity and self-determination.

For the Garvey family, this pardon is particularly poignant. Dr. Julius Garvey, Marcus Garvey’s sole surviving son, has been a tireless advocate for justice, petitioning for this pardon since 1987. His efforts echo those of notable Congress members like John Conyers and Charles Rangel, who sought to rectify the injustices faced by Garvey. The pardon represents a long-awaited acknowledgment of the wrongful conviction that marred Garvey’s legacy.

(photo courtesy of the Jamaica Gleaner) Rev. Dr Martin Luther King (second from right) studies photographs hanging from the cut-stone backing of Marcus Garvey Mausoleum after laying a wreath at Garvey’s shrine in the George VI Memorial Park on Tuesday, June 22, 1965.

In a powerful tribute to Garvey during a visit to Jamaica in 1965, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. recognized Garvey as a trailblazer who inspired millions of African people. King stated that Garvey was the first man of color to lead a mass movement, instilling a sense of dignity and purpose in countless individuals. This recognition underscores the profound impact Garvey had on the civil rights movement and the broader struggle for racial equality.

Professor Ezrah Aharone, Founder and Chair of the CGA, emphasized the significance of the pardon, stating, “This pardoning not only adds to Garvey’s historical legitimacy, it confirms the power of our collective advocacy as global Africans.” He called for leveraging this momentum to promote self-reliance models that Garvey exemplified throughout his life.

Garvey’s unjust conviction stemmed from a frivolous $25 mail fraud charge, which ultimately dismantled the largest organized movement of African people in history, encompassing approximately six million supporters across four continents. Despite this setback, Garvey’s principles have continued to inspire political independence movements in Africa, influencing leaders such as Kwame Nkrumah and Nelson Mandela. His initiatives, including the “Negro World” newspaper and the Black Star Line, laid the groundwork for future advocacy and economic empowerment.

This stain has finally been lifted.

Alicia Clark, Producer of The Garvey Legacy Film Project, highlighted the importance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a reminder of the ongoing work needed to promote economic self-reliance and equity for people of African descent. Lorraine Badley, Co-Chair of the Garvey Exoneration Delaware Campaign, expressed gratitude that Dr. Julius Garvey lived to see this long-awaited outcome, stating, “This stain has finally been lifted.”

As the CGA prepares to release a short film on Garvey’s legacy during Black History Month, the pardon marks a significant milestone in the journey for justice. The Center for Global Africa continues its mission to foster socio-economic development and governance across Africa, the Caribbean, and the diaspora, ensuring that Marcus Garvey’s vision of empowerment and dignity lives on.

Find out more about The Center for Global Africa by visiting their website.

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