Washington, D.C. — Today, Eric H. Holder, Jr., the 82nd Attorney General of the United States, released the following statement in response to President Biden issuing a posthumous pardon to Marcus Garvey: 

“President Biden has corrected a grave historical wrong by posthumously pardoning Marcus Garvey.  

“This is something I and others have been working towards for years. Marcus Garvey raised the hopes of black people at a particularly difficult time and was deemed a threat by many in a then racist establishment—including J. Edgar Hoover. The power of the federal government was unjustly used to convict and subsequently deport him in an attempt to silence his voice. 

“But the power of his words, actions and beliefs have endured and inspired generations that followed. The spirit and pride that Garvey unleashed led to Malcolm, King, Mandela, and so many other fighters for freedom. As a black man—as a proud American—I am deeply indebted to the work of this great man. 

“I thank the President for this act of justice and compassion.” 

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