President Joe Biden announced a series of clemency actions on Sunday, pardoning five individuals and commuting the sentences of two others, calling these pardons an effort to uphold America’s promise of second chances.
The move marks another milestone in Biden’s tenure, as he continues to grant more pardons and commutations than any other U.S. president in history. RELATED: President Biden Commutes Sentences For Nearly 2,500 Non-Violent Drug Offenders
“America is a country built on the promise of second chances,” Biden said in a statement. “I am exercising my clemency power to pardon five individuals and commute the sentences of two individuals who have demonstrated remorse, rehabilitation, and redemption.”
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Individuals Pardoned by President Biden on Sunday:
- Darryl Chambers – Wilmington, Delaware
A gun violence prevention advocate, Chambers was convicted of a non-violent drug offense in 1998 and served 17 years in prison. Since his release, he has dedicated his life to community development through organizations such as the HOPE Commission and his own Center for Structural Equity. Chambers is also pursuing a doctoral degree in sociology and criminal justice. - Marcus Mosiah Garvey – Posthumous Pardon
Garvey, a renowned civil rights leader and founder of the Universal Negro Improvement Association, was convicted of mail fraud in 1923. Despite his sentence being commuted by President Calvin Coolidge in 1927, advocates have long called for a full pardon to recognize the injustice behind his conviction. Garvey’s influence on the civil rights movement was profound, with figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. acknowledging his legacy. - Ravidath “Ravi” Ragbir – Brooklyn, New York
A well-known advocate for immigrant rights, Ragbir was convicted of a non-violent offense in 2001 and sentenced to two and a half years in prison. Since his release, he has worked to support immigrant communities and served as Executive Director of the New Sanctuary Coalition, receiving multiple awards for his advocacy. - Don Leonard Scott, Jr. – Portsmouth, Virginia
Scott, a U.S. Navy veteran, was convicted of a non-violent drug offense in 1994 and sentenced to 10 years in prison. He has since become a practicing attorney and, in 2024, was elected as the first Black Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates. - Kemba Smith Pradia – Ashburn, Virginia
Pradia was sentenced to 24 years in prison in 1994 for a non-violent drug offense before having her sentence commuted by President Clinton in 2000. Since her release, she has become a leading advocate for criminal justice reform and domestic violence awareness.
Sentences Commuted:
- Robin Peoples (BOP No. 05707-027)
Peoples, serving a 111-year sentence for crimes committed in the late 1990s, is now set for release on February 18, 2025. His supporters, including civil rights groups and government officials, describe him as a model inmate and mentor. - Michelle West (BOP No. 17809-039)
West, who has served over 30 years for crimes committed between 1987 and 1993, will also be released on February 18, 2025. Advocates praise her as a role model for incarcerated women, citing her decades of rehabilitation.
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