U.S President Joe Biden has pardoned National Hero Marcus Mosiah Garvey.

The government and the Opposition are among those welcoming the granting of posthumous clemency to the country’s first National Hero this morning.

A release from the White House noted that Marcus Garvey was a renowned civil rights and human rights leader who was convicted of mail fraud in 1923 and sentenced to five years in prison. 

It noted that then United States President Calvin Coolidge, commuted the sentence in 1927. 

Commenting on the pardon, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said this is a momentous step toward righting a grave historical wrong committed against one of the most significant civil rights leaders and Pan-Africanists in history.

He stated that he considers this a first step towards the total exoneration and expungement of this historical injustice.

The Prime Minister thanked President Biden for his consideration in this matter and the many private citizens who signed petitions, the Jamaican diaspora, friends of Jamaica and successive governments of Jamaica, all of whom have lobbied for this moment with persistence and determination.

Mr. Holness said today, January 19, 2025 will forever be remembered as a day of triumph for justice and a proud moment for the people of Jamaica. 

He added that the removal of the unjust stain on Marcus Garvey’s name, restores the full dignity and honour he has always deserved as a champion of freedom, empowerment and equality.

Opposition Leader Mark Golding said that President Biden’s action acknowledges the profound impact that Garvey had in shaping the narratives of freedom, equality and justice. 

He said Garvey’s principles of unity and self-determination served to solidify and embolden the mandate of social justice movements in Africa and its diaspora, and will also encourage a new generation of Pan Africanist advocates to assume a mantle of leadership with a renewed sense of purpose.   

He noted that the decision is a call to action to African peoples to advance the agenda that Mr. Garvey was promoting over a century ago.

In the meantime, Pan Africanist and attorney-at-law Bert Samuels also welcomed the news but called for complete exoneration.

He believes the action was influenced by Vice President Kamala Harris who has Jamaican roots. 

He said it is time for the truth to be revealed about how many black leaders were unfairly treated by the system.