On January 2, 2025, Wilmington, Delaware, will become a pivotal stage for justice as The Center for Global Africa (CGA) and Delaware’s Diaspora Leadership unite to demand President Joe Biden exonerate one of history’s most influential Pan-African leaders, Marcus Mosiah Garvey. This significant press conference will take place from 3 to 4 PM (EST) at the iconic Peter Spencer Plaza, home to the Garvey Flag, located at 800 N. French Street. Civic leaders, partner organizations, and distinguished officials will gather to amplify a call that resonates through history: to rectify the wrongful conviction of a visionary leader whose legacy continues to inspire millions.

The demand for Garvey’s exoneration is rooted in a broader narrative of justice and dignity. Garvey, a staunch advocate for global African unity and economic independence, was unjustly convicted of mail fraud in 1923—a case marred by prosecutorial and governmental misconduct. Despite mounting evidence of his innocence, Garvey was sentenced to five years in prison and later deported to Jamaica. The irony of his legacy being criminalized rather than celebrated underscores the urgency of this moment.

 

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Garvey was the first man on a mass scale and level to give millions of Negroes a sense of dignity and destiny, and make the Negro feel he was somebody.” Garvey’s Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) boasted up to six million supporters, cementing his role as a pioneer of Pan-Africanism. He also founded transformative enterprises such as the Black Star Line and the Negro Factories Corporation, advocating for Black economic empowerment.

This historic press conference follows a recent letter from 21 members of Congress urging President Biden to exonerate Garvey. The timing couldn’t be more poignant—Biden’s recent clemency decisions for his son and federal death row inmates have set a precedent for addressing injustices. Now, the President has a unique opportunity to correct a grave historical wrong and honor the legacy of a leader whose philosophy inspired global icons such as Kwame Nkrumah, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Nelson Mandela.

Led by Professor Ezrah Aharone, Founder & Chair of the Center for Global Africa, and Dr. Julius Garvey, the surviving son of Marcus Garvey, the event seeks to elevate Delaware’s voice in this national and international movement. Dr. Julius Garvey emphasizes, “President Biden now has the opportunity to correct this historical wrong and restore the legacy of my father.” The Center for Global Africa recently released The Garvey Legacy Film Trailer to galvanize support, while Dr. Garvey’s book, Justice 4 Garvey, sheds light on his father’s enduring impact on modern social justice movements.

The press conference at Peter Spencer Plaza symbolizes more than just a call for exoneration; it represents a broader push for reparative justice. By convening at a site steeped in history, the event underscores Garvey’s unyielding commitment to economic self-sufficiency and human rights. It also pays homage to Delaware’s role in Garvey’s story, as it was here that he incorporated many of his pioneering organizations.

For decades, Black leaders have petitioned U.S. presidents to clear Garvey’s name. Now, with the combined efforts of organizations like the CGA, the Marcus Garvey Institute for Human Development, and an engaged diaspora, the movement has reached a critical juncture. The event on January 2, 2025, promises to be both a rallying cry and a celebration of Garvey’s indomitable spirit.

Houston Style Magazine readers, let’s stand in solidarity with this historic effort. Visit www.centerforglobalafrica.com and www.legacymovementfilm.com to learn more and support the campaign to restore justice to one of history’s greatest visionaries. Marcus Garvey’s dream was not just for his time but for all time—a legacy that deserves validation, not vilification.