Inside the 100-year fight to get a Black revolutionary pardoned

Marcus Garvey , the revolutionary Jamaican leader, was posthumously pardoned for mail fraud.

Garvey pushed for the unity of Black people and a collective return to Africa .

He was convicted of mail fraud in 1923 and deported from the US in 1927 .

The conviction had far-reaching effects: it sullied Garvey ’s reputation during his lifetime.

Marcus Garvey received a posthumous pardon on the eve of President Donald Trump ’s second inauguration.

The former UNIA leader was convicted of mail fraud and deported from Jamaica in 1940 .

The trial led to his deportation in effect dismantled the UNIA movement and contributed to his death, Hansford said.

He was thrilled to see videos circulating on social media of youth learning about Garvey after he received his presidential pardon. Hansford said that advocates were planning a large celebration at Howard University in February , with global celebrations continuing into the summer . For Downer , a posthumous presidential pardon served as a form of justice for Garvey and his family, and had the potential to restore his legacy. “He really inspired us to take pride in ourselves,” Downer said. “He changed the world.”.