THE Jamaican Embassy in Washington, DC, USA marked the 75th anniversary of the death of National Hero Marcus Garvey at a ceremony co-hosted by the Embassy and the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIA-ACL) 1918 and 1929 of the World, last Wednesday.
At the ceremony, the main presentations concerned the pardon or exoneration of Marcus Garvey within the United States and Garvey’s enduring legacy throughout Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean and the rest of the world.
On the question of pardon or exoneration, Jamaica’s Ambassador to the United States of America Stephen Vasciannie briefly reviewed some of the legal and policy issues concerning the effort to clear Garvey’s name.
Jasmine Rand, a United States-based lawyer, also offered reflections on the importance of having Garvey’s conviction overturned.
Other speakers at the event, Ahmed Assalaam, Cleophus Miller Jnr, and Mwariam Kamau, senior members of the UNIA-ACL, recalled Garvey’s life of dedication to racial equality, black self-empowerment, enterprise and organisation.
When United States President Barack Obama visited Jamaica April 9-10, Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller is reported to have raised the matter of exonerating the Jamaican National Hero with the United States delegation.
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