WASHINGTON, DC – The Embassy of Jamaica in Washington, U.S.A, in association with the Institute of Caribbean Studies, will stage a public forum titled, ‘Why Exoneration for Marcus Garvey Matters’, on Monday, September 22, at the Embassy of Jamaica, commencing at 6:30 p.m.
Special guest panellist will be Dr. Julius Garvey, son of National Hero, Marcus Garvey and Chairman of the Exoneration Campaign, while George Dalley, of the office of Congressman, Charles Rangel, will make a special presentation. Ambassador Anthony Johnson will deliver the welcoming remarks.
The forum will be moderated by Founder and President of the Institute of Caribbean Studies, Dr. Claire Nelson, and one of the leaders of the Exoneration Campaign.
In an interview with JIS News, Dr. Nelson said that, “the quest for the exoneration of the Right Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey, should be seen as not just a matter of righting an injustice, but also as the means by which we can excavate from the ashes of history, a vision of ourselves as African people, throwing off the last shackles of mental slavery and cleaning our economic emancipation.”
Marcus Garvey was convicted in 1923 by the United States Government, for mail fraud and was deported to Jamaica in 1927, despite millions of signatures petitioning for his full pardon, including the signatures of nine of the 12 jurors who had convicted him.
The movement for the pardon has been on-going for some time, having started by members of his family and of the organisation he founded – the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA).
The movement to pardon Mr. Garvey, has been joined by members of the United States Congress, led by Congressman Rangel and other members of the Congressional Black Caucus.
On August 29, the 32 members of the Organisation of American States (OAS), unanimously passed a Resolution, naming its Hall of Culture in honour of Mr. Garvey. The Marcus Garvey Cultural Hall will be located on the ground floor of the OAS main building in Washington.
