President Biden on Sunday, in his final full day in office, pardoned five more people, including political activist and black supremacist Marcus Garvey.
“America is a country built on the promise of second chances,” Biden said in a statement. “As President, I have used my pardon power to make that promise a reality by issuing more individual pardons and commutations than any president in American history. Today, I have used my pardon power to grant five individual pardons and commutations of sentences. These pardonees have made significant contributions to the betterment of their communities. ”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
In addition to Garvey, those pardoned were Darryl Chambers, Ravidas “Ravi” Raghbir, Don Leonard Scott Jr. and Kemba Smith Pradia. Mr. Garvey was granted a posthumous pardon.
“African Interim President” Marcus Garvey is seen changing the name of his ship from “General GW Goethals” to SS Booker T. Washington on January 25, 1925. (NY Daily News, via Getty Images)
President Biden described Garvey as “a prominent civil rights and human rights leader who was convicted of mail fraud in 1923 and sentenced to five years in prison.”
President Calvin Coolidge commuted his sentence in 1927. “Notably, Mr. Garvey founded the Black Star Line, the first black-owned shipping company and method of international travel, and founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association, which celebrates African history and culture. Martin Luther King Jr. described Mr. Garvey as “the first person of color in American history to lead and develop a mass movement,'' the White House said. “Advocates and lawmakers have praised his global advocacy and influence and highlighted the injustice underlying his conviction.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for the latest information.
