In a historic move, U.S. President Joe Biden has posthumously pardoned Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Jamaica’s first National Hero and a global icon of Black empowerment.
Garvey, founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), was a pivotal figure in the Pan-African movement, advocating for the dignity, unity, and self-reliance of people of African descent worldwide. Despite his towering legacy, Garvey was convicted of mail fraud in the United States in 1923—a conviction that many have long argued was politically motivated.
The pardon, granted nearly a century after his death, is seen as a significant gesture of acknowledgment for Garvey’s contributions to racial justice and civil rights. His philosophy of pride in Black heritage and economic independence continues to inspire generations across the globe.
Jamaicans and members of the diaspora have celebrated this development as a long-overdue recognition of Garvey’s legacy. For many, it represents a step toward correcting historical injustices and honoring the enduring impact of one of Jamaica’s greatest sons.
This posthumous pardon underscores the timeless relevance of Marcus Garvey’s teachings and his vision of liberation and empowerment for all.
