Press Release From the JLP:
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| MP Donovan Williams |
Attorney-at-law and Jamaica Labour Party Spokesman, Donovan Williams, is chiding PNP President Mark Golding for inaccurately telling the country by way of a statement on Sunday January 19, 2025, that Marcus Garvey was “exonerated” by the United States Government, when in fact Garvey was issued with a posthumous pardon which is otherwise known as an act of clemency.
In a written statement which was entitled in part - 'The Exoneration of Marcus Garvey', Golding repeatedly stated that "Marcus Garvey’s exoneration corrects a grave historical miscarriage of justice" and also intimated that the development is "a triumphant acknowledgement of a legacy restored".
In an audio statement, Golding also said “we are claiming this as a complete exoneration of our national hero".
Mr. Williams says the fact is a pardon, while welcome, is only part of the process of clearing Mr. Garvey's name and achieving full and unconditional exoneration of Jamaica's first National Hero.
Mr. Williams, who is also the Member of Parliament for Central Kingston, stated:
"It is evident that the PNP President does not understand the fight to clear Marcus Garvey's name. Golding's misleading statement indicates that he does not understand that a pardon is not an exoneration but references the act of forgiving for commission of an offence. Exoneration includes a full declaration of innocence, while acknowledging unjust prosecution".
Mr. Williams says while the posthumous pardoning of Marcus Garvey, which has come following tireless lobbying by Prime Minister Holness, Chairman Montague and Ministers Grange and Johnson Smith, in collaboration with Marcus Garvey's family, Diaspora stakeholders and members of the US Congress, is a step in the right direction - the work of the Jamaica Labour Party administration continues towards achieving the full and unconditional exoneration of Marcus Garvey.
In further reprimanding the PNP President who he described as detached from the history and the legacy of Garvey, Mr. Williams said:
"This is not the first time that the PNP President has issued hasty, historically incorrect and misleading statements in what appears to be an inappropriate bid to take credit for a development which neither he or his Party had anything to do with. I am hopeful that the PNP President will reflect on the error of his ways and consider issuing an apology for misleading the country. It is sad that on a day when we should all be celebrating a positive development, the PNP President in his apparent rush for glory has again demonstrated his unsuitability to lead Jamaica."
Mr. Williams says it would also be good if the PNP President would also on behalf of his Party express some contrition for former PNP President, Norman W. Manley's unjust prosecution of Marcus Garvey in 1930 and for utterances by Manley where the former PNP President also disrespected Mr. Garvey by questioning Garvey's intelligence and describing him as a 'national disgrace'.
Editor's Note:
On Sunday morning, January 19, my Bark Di Trute readers highlighted the error made by the Opposition Leader Mark Golding.
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