Biden Grants Posthumous Pardon to Black Nationalist Marcus Garvey

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden issued five pardons on Sunday, his last full day in office, including a posthumous pardon for Marcus Garvey, the influential Black nationalist leader convicted of mail fraud in the 1920s. The pardons also included immigrant rights activist Ravi Ragbir and criminal justice reform advocate Kemba Smith Pradia.

“America is a country built on the promise of second chances,” Biden said in a statement. “As President, I have used my clemency power to make that promise a reality by issuing more individual pardons and commutations than any other President in U.S. history.”

Marcus Garvey, often referred to as “Africa’s Provisional President,” was a prominent figure in the early 20th century, advocating for Black pride and economic independence. His conviction in 1923, widely criticized as politically motivated, led to a two-year prison sentence. Supporters have long argued that the charges were an attempt to silence his growing influence.

Ravi Ragbir, a Trinidadian immigrant rights activist, faced deportation proceedings before his pardon. Kemba Smith Pradia, who was sentenced to 24 years in prison for a nonviolent drug offense in 1994, had her sentence commuted by President Bill Clinton in 2000. She has since become a leading voice for criminal justice reform.

Biden’s decision to pardon Garvey comes after years of advocacy from congressional leaders and civil rights groups. Garvey’s legacy includes inspiring future leaders like Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr., though his controversial views on racial separatism have also drawn criticism.

The pardons mark Biden’s continued use of executive clemency to address historical injustices and support individuals who have demonstrated rehabilitation and redemption. The White House has not indicated whether additional pardons will be issued before Biden leaves office.