President Biden on Sunday, in his final full day in office, pardoned five more people, including political activist and black supremacist Marcus Garvey.
“America is a country built on the promise of second chances,” Biden said in a statement. “As President, I have used my pardon power to make that promise a reality by issuing more individual pardons and commutations than any president in American history. Today, I have used my pardon power to grant five individual pardons and commutations of sentences. These pardonees have made significant contributions to the betterment of their communities. ”
In addition to Garvey, those pardoned include Darryl Chambers, Ravidas “Ravi” Raghubir, Don Leonard Scott Jr., and Kemba Smith Pradia. Mr. Garvey was granted a posthumous pardon.
Biden will make nearly 2,500 more commutes in his final days as president
Marcus Garvey, “Interim President of Africa,” seen changing the name of his ship from “General GW Goethals” to SS Booker T. Washington, January 25, 1925. (NY Daily News via Getty Images)
President Biden described Garvey, who influenced Malcolm X, as “a prominent 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 commuted his sentence in 1927. “Notably, Mr. Garvey founded the Black Star Line, the first black-owned shipping company and means of international travel, and founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association, which celebrates African history and culture. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. described Mr. Garvey as “the first person of color in American history to lead and develop a mass movement,” the White House said. “Advocates and lawmakers have praised his global advocacy and influence and highlighted the injustice underlying his conviction.”
Immigration activist Ravi Raghbir speaks during a press conference at New York City Hall after being summoned by city council members on January 31, 2018. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews, File)
Congressional leaders had asked Biden to pardon Garvey. Supporters have long argued that Garvey’s conviction was politically motivated and an effort to silence an increasingly popular leader who speaks of racial pride.
Biden also pardoned Raghbir, an immigrant rights activist, and Smith Pradia, an advocate for criminal justice reform. Raghubir was convicted of a non-violent crime in 2001 and sentenced to two years in prison. Smith Pradia is an advocate who was convicted of drug crimes in 1994 and sentenced to 24 years in prison. President Bill Clinton’s sentence was commuted in 2000.
Biden also announced that the additional sentences of Michelle West and Robin Peoples will be commuted to expire on February 18, 2025.
West was convicted in the 1990s on charges including conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, drug-related murder and aiding and abetting drug-related murder, according to court records.
President Biden delivers his farewell address to the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, January 15, 2025 (Mandel Gunn – Pool/Getty Images)
The White House announced that West is “currently serving a life sentence for crimes committed between 1987 and 1993.”
President Biden said, “During his 30 years in prison, Mr. West demonstrated extraordinary rehabilitation and character change.” “Mr. West’s clemency petition has received overwhelming support from civil rights organizations, women’s rights activists, fellow ex-prisoners, and members of Congress.” He is said to be a role model who has built a record.
Meanwhile, Peoples was convicted of bank robbery and other related crimes, according to court records.
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The White House said in a statement that Peoples is “currently serving a 111-year sentence for crimes he committed in the late 1990s.” “Under current law and policy, Mr. Peoples will likely receive a significantly reduced sentence. While in custody, he has shown remarkable rehabilitation and courage. Mr. Peoples’ clemency petition has been approved by civil rights organizations, government officials, Mr. Peoples’ supporters describe him as an exemplary inmate, an inspiring leader and a man who deserves a second chance. There is. ”
It is not yet clear whether Biden will use his final full day in office to grant pardons to people criticized by President-elect Donald Trump.
Mr. Biden had floated the idea of preemptively granting pardons for possible crimes committed by Mr. Trump’s critics that could be investigated or prosecuted by the incoming administration. That would expand the president’s powers in an untested way.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Daniel Wallace is a breaking news and political reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and X: @danimwallace.
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