GEORGETOWN, Guyana, (CMC) The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) expressed its deep gratitude on Sunday to the outgoing Biden administration for granting a posthumous pardon to Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Jamaica’s national hero, following years of advocacy and campaigning.
In a statement, CARICOM chairman and Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, said “this long-awaited exoneration” to Garvey, a distinguished civil rights activist, Pan-Africanist leader, “is testament to the unwavering advocacy of CARICOM leaders, both individually and collectively, along with countless members of the diaspora, for the rectification of the unjust conviction of an ardent advocate for the rights and liberties of individuals of African descent.
“CARICOM extends its heartfelt congratulations to his son, Julius Garvey, and other members of his family, as well as to the Government and People of Jamaica, and all who honor the remarkable legacy of this extraordinary son of our region. His life and work continue to inspire and influence both within and beyond the Caribbean,” Mottley said.
Earlier, Jamaica welcomed the pardon with Prime Minister Andrew Holness hailing the announcement as a “proud and historic day” for Jamaica and that it was the “first step towards total exoneration”.
“As Prime Minister, I consider this clemency a first step toward the total exoneration and expungement of this historical injustice,” he added.
Opposition Leader, Mark Golden called the exoneration of Garvey a correction of a historic wrong stemming from “an illegal, intelligence-led operation” aimed at crippling Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA).
“President Biden’s action acknowledges the profound impact that Garvey had in shaping the narratives of freedom, equality, and justice,” Golding said.
Golden said Garvey’s legacy continues to embolden social justice movements across Africa and the diaspora while inspiring a new generation of Pan-Africanist advocates.
In 2018, Jamaica passed The National Heroes and Other Freedom Fighters (Absolution from Criminal Liability in Respect of Specified Acts) Act, which cleared the records of Jamaica’s National Heroes and freedom fighters who were wrongfully accused and convicted during their struggle for freedom.
