On Sunday, President Joe Biden announced the pardoning of five individuals, which notably includes the late civil rights figure Marcus Garvey, along with commuting the sentences of two others, according to a statement from the White House.

Marcus Garvey, who passed away in 1940, was a prominent civil rights leader convicted of mail fraud in 1923, leading to a five-year prison term, which was later reduced by President Calvin Coolidge in 1927.

Human rights advocates recognize Garvey as a pioneer in mobilizing a mass movement for African-Americans. The White House highlighted that he established the Black Star Line shipping company and founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association, both of which promoted African heritage and culture.

Other individuals who received pardons include Darryl Chambers, a proponent of gun violence prevention who was found guilty of a non-violent drug crime, and Ravidath “Ravi” Ragbir, an immigration advocate sentenced for a non-violent offense in 2001, as detailed in the White House’s statement.

Additionally, Biden pardoned Don Leonard Scott, who was convicted of a non-violent drug felony in 1994 and given a ten-year prison sentence. Scott later became a member of the Virginia state legislature in 2019 and made history as the first Black speaker last year, as indicated by the White House.

Kemba Smith Pradia, a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform, was also pardoned; she was previously convicted of a non-violent drug offense in 1994.

Biden commuted the sentences of two individuals from the 1990s, Robin Peoples and Michelle West, citing their significant rehabilitation during their time served.

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Scott Malone)