Lawmakers Urge Biden to Exonerate Marcus Garvey

A group of U.S. lawmakers, led by Rep. Yvette Clarke, is urging President Biden to posthumously exonerate Marcus Garvey, the influential Pan-Africanist leader, for his 1923 conviction for mail fraud, which they argue was politically motivated and marked by prosecutorial misconduct. In their letter, they assert that Garvey’s conviction was fabricated to discredit him as a civil rights leader, and they emphasize the need to correct this historical injustice as Biden approaches the end of his presidency. Garvey, who founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association and the Black Star Line, advocated for Black economic independence and unity among people of African descent. The lawmakers, including other prominent figures like Barbara Lee and Rashida Tlaib, stress that exonerating Garvey would honor his contributions to the Black community and advance the administration's commitment to racial justice. Past efforts to clear Garvey’s name have occurred over decades, yet he remains unexonerated. They highlight the urgency of this action, especially in the context of ongoing threats to Black history and identity.