On his last day in office, President Joe Biden granted a posthumous pardon to civil rights and human rights leader Marcus Garvey and pardoned or reduced the sentences of an additional six individuals. This action reflects his ongoing commitment to emphasize two core aspects of his presidency that he views as particularly important: treating people with kindness and compassion, and maintaining strong ties with the African-American community.
Malcolm X, the Civil Rights activist, and Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa, faced a conviction for mail fraud in the early 1920s. Some of those who supported them believe that the charges were brought to undermine their credibility during a time of great conflict and racial tensions.
Clemency is a key part of keeping faith with the promise I made to the American people, and as President, I’ve used my power to grant a record number of individual pardons and commutations, more than any other President in U.S. history.
For nearly 20 years, the descendants of Marcus Garvey have been seeking a pardon from the government. Last year, they even made a request of this to President Biden after he took office. This was not the first time they made such a request. Some leaders in the social movement note that President Biden’s election came on the heels of widespread public outrage and calls for change following the police killing of George Floyd. In their view, this moment was a chance to address long-standing injustices and right historical wrongs, including Garvey’s execution.
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Garvey completed two years of a five-year prison term, having his sentence shortened by President Calvin Coolidge, but was nonetheless required to vacate the country and was deported to Jamaica.
Garvey’s son released a statement to The Washington Post on Sunday, stating that the pardon was a first step in securing his father’s full exoneration “of any wrongdoing”.
“Marcus Mosiah Garvey was a passionate leader who sought to unite and uplift African peoples with his vision, a message that remains highly relevant even after more than a century. His legacy can now be taught with pride to younger generations,” stated Julius W. Garvey, chairman of the Marcus Garvey Institute for Human Development.
Laws concerning policing reform and voting rights have been met with strong resistance from Republicans.
To individuals who fear potential backlash from the incoming administration, those who are worried that President-elect Donald Trump and his allies may retaliate against their ideological foes.
Biden has a short time window to issue such pardons, as Trump is set to take office at noon on Monday, and it’s unclear if he will act on this.
Over the weekend, President Biden also granted a pardon to Darryl Chambers, a gun violence prevention advocate. Chambers had been convicted of a nonviolent drug offense in 1998 and received a 17-year prison sentence. After completing his sentence, Chambers went on to work with a nonprofit organization in Wilmington, Delaware, that focuses on reducing violence. He also wrote a book titled “Murder Town, USA.”
Scott, who was convicted of a non-violent drug offense back in 1994, went on to become a successful attorney after his release. By 2019, he had made a successful run for and been elected to the Virginia state legislature. Three years later, in 2022, he was chosen as the first Black speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates. As a military veteran of the US Navy, Scott especially showed compassion for others in 2021 by donating one of his kidneys to a neighbor in need.
He reduced the sentences of two prisoners in effect.
President Obama controversially granted commutations to around 2,500 individuals convicted of nonviolent drug-related crimes.
President Biden has granted more individual pardons and commutations than any other U.S. president.
