Many joining campaign for Jamaica’s first National Hero

The Government of Jamaica (GOJ) will be seeking to influence its American counterpart to exonerate the country’s first National Hero, Marcus Garvey.

This was disclosed yesterday by Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen as he delivered the annual Throne Speech during the ceremonial opening of Parliament, detailing the Government’s plans for the upcoming 2022-2023 legislative year.

The Jamaican Government is the latest entity to join the campaign to secure a posthumous pardon for Garvey for what many say was his unjust persecution and imprisonment by the US government in 1923.

The campaign is led by Garvey’s son, Julius, and includes St Vincent & the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, who recently urged CARICOM and other world leaders to push for Garvey’s exoneration.

In declaring the Jamaican Government’s intention to lobby the Joe Biden administration in the US, Sir Patrick said: “The 60th anniversary of Jamaica’s independence and the establishment of diplomatic relations with the United States, provide a fitting context for advancing the process of clearing the name of the Right Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Jamaica’s first national hero.” 

He went on to state that, “to that end, the [Jamaican] Government will utilise the avenues available to intercede with the government of the United States of America, building on past and existing efforts to lift this stain of his wrongful conviction.”

Official letter sent for pardon

An official letter has already been sent to Biden, the US president, requesting a posthumous presidential pardon for Garvey with the PJ Patterson Centre For Africa Caribbean Advocacy also joining the crusade for Garvey’s posthumous exoneration.

This Black History Month, the coalition is dedicated to gathering 100,000 signatures to request an official response from the White House and Biden for a posthumous exoneration of Garvey.