Kingston, Jamaica — Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport Olivia Grange has welcomed a petition to United States President Barack Obama to pardon National Hero Marcus Garvey of his wrongful conviction.

Garvey was convicted of mail fraud in 1923.

However, Grange says the Government of Jamaica is of the view that “the trial and conviction were meant to tarnish Garvey’s image and diminish his global movement”.

According to Grange, “The United States officials disapproved of Garvey’s fearless advocacy of self-reliance, black pride and unity among his people so they imprisoned him then deported him.”

Grange noted that the Government of Jamaica has attempted, at the highest level and on several occasions, to clear Garvey: “A resolution was brought to the US House Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, from as far back as 1987. But sadly, the mission is not yet accomplished.”

She believes this petition, led by American citizens to their Government, will yield the desired result.

Grange said: “It is time to clear Garvey’s name in America. Garvey’s actions were not criminal actions, but they were acts of liberation, with moral justification.”

Grange is encouraging everyone who is able — particularly the Jamaican Diaspora in the United States, and Americans living in Jamaica — “to sign the petition and help to right a wrong”.

 The online petition is at petitions.whitehouse.gov/petition/grant-marcus-mosiah- garvey-posthumous-presidential-pardon-his-wrongful-1923-conviction.

The petition needs 100,000 signatures by September 28 to get a response from the White House.

In the meantime, the minister is bringing a motion to Parliament to expunge Garvey’s local criminal record. He was convicted in Jamaica for sedition and imprisoned at the St Catherine Adult Correctional Centre for three months.