Biden pardons black nationalist Marcus Garvey and 4 others on last day in office

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

“America is a country built on the promise of a second chance,” Biden said in a statement. “As president, I have used my clemency power to make that promise a reality by issuing more individual pardons and commutations than any other president in United States history. Today, I am exercising my clemency power to pardon 5 people and commute the sentences of 2 people. who have shown remorse, rehabilitation and redemption. Each of these pardonees has made significant contributions to the betterment of their communities.”

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

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Marcus Garvey, “Provisional President of Africa,” is seen during the renaming of the ship from “General GW Goethals” to SS Booker T. Washington, January 25, 1925. (NY Daily News via Getty Images)

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

Former President Calvin Coolidge reversed his sentence in 1927. “Notably, Mr. Garvey created the Black Star Line, the first Black-owned shipping company and method of international travel, and founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association, which celebrated African history and culture. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. described Mr. Garvey as ‘the first man of color in American history to lead and develop a mass movement,’” the White House said. “Advocates and lawmakers praise his global advocacy and impact and highlight the injustice underlying his criminal conviction.”

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

Congressional leaders had pushed for Biden to pardon Garvey. Supporters long argued that Garvey’s conviction was politically motivated and an attempt to silence the increasingly popular leader who spoke about 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 offense in 2001 and was sentenced to two years in prison. Smith Pradia is a lawyer who was convicted of a drug offense in 1994, when she was sentenced to 24 years behind bars. President Bill Clinton commuted his sentence in 2000.

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

West was convicted in the 90s on charges that included conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, drug-related homicide and accessory to drug-related murder, court records show.

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

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

“During her three decades of incarceration, Ms. West has demonstrated extraordinary rehabilitation and personal 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 Peoples was convicted of bank robbery and other related offenses.

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Peoples is “currently serving a 111-year sentence for crimes he committed in the late 1990s,” the White House said in their statement. “Mr. Peoples would likely face a substantially lesser sentence under current law and policy. While in custody, he has shown remarkable rehabilitation and courage. Mr. Peoples’ clemency petition has received overwhelming support from the civil rights community, government officials, friends and family members describe him as a role model, an inspiring mentor and someone who deserves a second chance.”

It remains unclear whether Biden will use his last full day in office to grant pardons to people who have been criticized by President-elect Donald Trump.

Biden had floated the idea of ​​issuing preemptive pardons for possible offenses by Trump’s critics who could be investigated or prosecuted by the incoming administration. Doing so would stretch the powers of the presidency in untested ways.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.