NEW YORK, USA — The Jamaican Diaspora here has reacted with delight and relief over the pardon issued by outgoing President Joe Biden to Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Jamaica’s first national hero, who was convicted in 1923 for mail fraud.

News of the development took many by surprise on Sunday given that individuals and various organisations have spent decades working to secure a pardon for Garvey.

Reacting to the news, Dr Allan Cunningham of the Jamaica Men of Florida said: “Finally! Jamaicans in the Diaspora, elected leaders, and everyone else have been pushing for this for many years. We all know the history — that Garvey’s conviction was politically motivated to silence this black leader who spoke out openingly about racial divide.”

Peter Gracey, who heads the Global Jamaica Diaspora Council for the southern United States, in welcoming the move said it was heartening as it is well known that Garvey was innocent of the crime for which he was charged and sentenced.

California-based Dr Roy Davidson, president of the Caribbean Cricket Club of Los Angeles, and a member of the National Association of Jamaica and Supportive Organizations (NAJASO) — one of many organisations which have led the effort over many years to have Garvey pardoned — said he was “pleased and elated that it has finally happened”.

Responding to the pardon, former Jamaican Ambassador to the United Nations Curtis Ward told the Jamaica Observer that, “it is the best news I have heard in recent times”.

Ward was also quick to point out that, “The pardon does not mean total exoneration as the president does not have the power to issue exoneration. Only a court, as part of a new trial, can make that decision.”

He added that the granting of the pardon will be viewed as a first step toward total exoneration, and that there will now be a greater effort towards this being achieved.

Michelle Neil, a representative of the Global Diaspora Council for the north-east US, described the issuing of the pardon as, “A day of triumph for justice and equality for all people, as it marks the culmination of a long journey that commenced in 1927.”

According to Neil, it serves as a poignant reminder of our collective resilience in the pursuit of freedom and self-determination.

“While significant challenges remain, this achievement represents a crucial step in the right direction,” said Neil.

In the meantime, chairman of the board of NAJASO and president of the Jamaican Association of Maryland, Rick Nugent; Sadie Campbell of the Jamaica Progressive League; and Irwine Clare Sr, a leading Diaspora advocate, reacted positively to the pardon being granted.

“Clemency for Garvey is big for us as a community,” said Clare.

He praised the efforts of the many community activists, especially Marcus Garvey’s son, Dr Julius Garvey, for the relentless pursuit of this endeavour.

Elected officials, organisations, and individual advocates have long held the view that the mail theft charges on which Garvey was convicted in 1923 were racially motivated and without merit.

They have pointed out that the charge and conviction came at the height of Garvey’s populist movement to improve the lives of blacks in America and other parts of the world.

He founded the Black Star Line, the first black-owned shipping line and method of international travel. Garvey, who also founded Universal Negro Improvement Association, is also credited as the first man of colour to lead and develop a mass movement in the United States.

WARD…the pardon does not mean total exoneration as the president does not have the power to issue exoneration.