Civil Rights Leader Marcus Garvey Among Five Pardoned by Joe Biden
On January 19, 2025, President Joe Biden issued pardons to five individuals, including posthumous clemency for civil rights leader Marcus Garvey. Garvey, who passed away in 1940, was convicted of mail fraud in 1923 and sentenced to five years in prison. His conviction has long been viewed by many as politically motivated.
Human rights organizations credit Garvey as the first to organize a mass movement among African Americans, founding the Universal Negro Improvement Association and the Black Star Line shipping company to celebrate African history and culture.
In addition to Garvey, the following individuals received pardons:
- Darryl Chambers: A gun violence prevention advocate convicted of a non-violent drug offense.
- Ravidath “Ravi” Ragbir: An immigration rights advocate convicted of a non-violent offense in 2001.
- Don Leonard Scott: Convicted of a non-violent drug offense in 1994 and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Scott was elected to the … in 2024.
- Kemba Smith Pradia: A criminal justice advocate previously convicted of a non- … .
President Biden also commuted the sentences of two individuals:
- Robin Peoples: Serving a 111-year sentence for bank robbery.
- Michelle West: Serving life for a drug conspiracy.
These clemency actions reflect President Biden’s commitment to criminal justice reform and acknowledge the significant contributions of these individuals to society.