Biden pardons late black activist Marcus Garvey, 4 others

President Biden issued five more pardons on Sunday on his last day in office, including political activist and black nationalist Marcus Garvey.

“America is a country built on the promise of second chances,” Biden said in a statement. “As President, I have used my power of compassion to make that promise a reality by issuing more pardons and commutations than any other President in US history. Today, I am using my power of compassion to pardon 5 people and commute the sentences of 2 people who have shown remorse, rehabilitation, and rescuing these recipients of compassion have contributed greatly to the development of their communities.

In addition to Garvey, the recipients of the fellowship are Darryl Chambers, Ravidath “Ravi” Ragbir, Don Leonard Scott, Jr., and Kemba Smith Pradia. Garvey was posthumously pardoned.

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The Biden White House described Garvey, who influenced Malcolm X, as “a famous civil rights leader and civil rights leader who was convicted of mail fraud in 1923, and sentenced to five years in prison.”

Former president Calvin Coolidge commuted his sentence in 1927. “Notably, Mr. Garvey created the Black Star Line, the first Black shipping line and international travel route, and founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association, which celebrated African history and culture. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. explained Mr. Garvey as ‘the first person of color in the history of the United States to lead and develop a mass movement’,” the White House said. “Lawyers and lawmakers praised his global advocacy and influence, and highlighted the injustice at the root of his criminal conviction.”

Immigration activist Ravi Ragbir listens during a news conference at New York City Hall called by members of the city council on his behalf, Jan. 31, 2018. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)

Congressional leaders pushed for Biden to pardon Garvey. Supporters have argued that Garvey’s conviction was politically motivated and an attempt to silence a popular leader who spoke of racial pride.

Biden also pardoned Ragbir, an immigrant rights activist, and Smith Pradia, a criminal justice reform advocate. Ragbir was convicted of a non-violent crime in 2001 and sentenced to two years in prison. Smith Pradia is a lawyer who was convicted of drug use in 1994 when he was sentenced to 24 years in prison. President Bill Clinton commuted his sentence in 2000.

Biden also announced that he is commuting the sentences of 2 other people – Michelle West and Robin Peoples – so that their sentences will end on Feb.18, 2025.

West was convicted in the ’90s on charges including conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, drug-related murder and aiding and abetting drug-related murder, court records show.

President Biden delivered his farewell address to the nation from the Oval Office of the White House on Jan. 15, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Mandel Ngan – Pool/Getty Images)

The White House said West “is currently serving a life sentence for crimes committed between 1987 and 1993.”

“During her three decades in prison, Ms. West has shown remarkable resilience and transformation,” the Biden White House argued. “Ms. West’s plea for clemency has received overwhelming support from the civil rights community, women’s rights advocates, former inmates and lawmakers. Supporters describe Ms. West as a role model who has built a 31-year record of rehabilitation and redemption.”

Meanwhile, court records show that Peoples was convicted of bank robberies and related charges.

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Peoples is “currently serving a 111-year sentence for crimes committed in the late 1990s,” the White House said in their announcement. “Mr. Peoples will likely face a much lower sentence under current law and policy. While incarcerated, he has shown remarkable resilience and courage. Mr. Peoples’ plea for leniency has received overwhelming support from the civil rights community, government officials, friends and family members of Mr. Peoples’ supporters who describe him as a model inmate, an inspirational mentor , and someone who deserves a second chance.”

It is not clear whether Biden will use his last day in office to grant amnesty to people criticized by President-elect Donald Trump.

Biden had floated the idea of ​​issuing amnesty ahead of the charges against Trump critics who might be investigated or prosecuted by the incoming administration. Doing so could expand the power of moderation in untested ways.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.