Today, President Trump posthumously pardoned heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson. pic.twitter.com/JzKP87ZxVM— The White House (@WhiteHouse) May 24, 2018
President Trump grants a rare posthumous pardon to boxing's first black heavyweight champion Jack Johnson. Johnson was convicted in 1913 for violating the Mann Act, which made it illegal to transport women across state lines for "immoral" purposes. https://t.co/kL1LZ7fN5j— The Associated Press (@AP) May 24, 2018
The Associated Press
written by Jill Colvin
Thursday May 24, 2018
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Thursday granted a rare posthumous pardon to boxing’s first black heavyweight champion, clearing Jack Johnson’s name more than 100 years after what many see as his racially-charged conviction.
“I am taking this very righteous step, I believe, to correct a wrong that occurred in our history and to honor a truly legendary boxing champion,” Trump said during an Oval Office ceremony. He was joined by WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder, retired heavyweight titleholder Lennox Lewis and actor Sylvester Stallone, whom Trump credited with championing the pardon.
Trump said Johnson had served 10 months in prison “for what many view as a racially-motivated injustice.”
“It’s my honor to do it. It’s about time,” the president said.
Johnson, a prominent athlete who crossed over into popular culture decades ago with biographies, dramas and documentaries, was convicted in 1913 by an all-white jury for violating the Mann Act for traveling with his white girlfriend. That law made it illegal to transport women across state lines for “immoral” purposes.”
Trump had tweeted in late April that Stallone, a longtime friend, had brought Johnson’s story to his attention in a phone call.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 21, 2018Sylvester Stallone called me with the story of heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson. His trials and tribulations were great, his life complex and controversial. Others have looked at this over the years, most thought it would be done, but yes, I am considering a Full Pardon!
“His trials and tribulations were great, his life complex and controversial. Others have looked at this over the years, most thought it would be done, but yes, I am considering a Full Pardon!” Trump wrote then.
The Oval Office ceremony was a celebratory scene, bringing together boxing greats past, present and fictional. The guests brought with them a colorful boxing championship belt, which sat front and center on the president’s Resolute Desk as he spoke. At one point, Trump jokingly asked Lewis whether he could “take Deontay in a fight” if he really started working out.
Lewis said Johnson had been an inspiration to him personally, while Stallone said Johnson had served as the basis of the character Apollo Creed in his “Rocky” films.
“This has been a long time coming,” he said.
Trump has a personal history with the sport, and hosted matches in the 1990s at his hotels.
After Johnson’s conviction, he spent seven years as a fugitive, but eventually returned to the U.S. and turned himself in. He served about a year in federal prison and was released in 1921. He died in 1946 in an auto crash.
His great-great niece, Linda E. Haywood, had pressed Trump for a posthumous pardon, and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., and former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., had promoted Johnson’s case for years.
The son of former slaves, Johnson defeated Tommy Burns for the heavyweight title in 1908 at a time when blacks and whites rarely entered the same ring. He then beat a series of “great white hopes,” culminating in 1910 with the undefeated former champion, James J. Jeffries.
McCain, who is often at odds with Trump, praised him late Thursday for the pardon.
“I applaud President Trump for issuing a posthumous pardon of boxing legend Jack Johnson, whose reputation was ruined by a racially charged conviction over a century ago,” he said in a statement that he also tweeted.
“For years, Congress has overwhelmingly supported legislation calling on multiple U.S. presidents to right this historical wrong and restore this great athlete’s legacy. President Trump’s action today finally closes a shameful chapter in our nation’s history and marks a milestone that the American people can and should be proud of.”
Johnson’s imprisonment forced him into the shadows of bigotry and prejudice, and continues to stand as a stain on our national honor,” McCain has said.
Haywood, who joined Trump in the Oval Office, said her great-great uncle’s conviction had led her family members to live in shame of his legacy.
“For so long my family was deeply ashamed that my uncle went to prison,” she told Trump, adding that said she didn’t find they were related until she was 12 years old.
“By this pardon being issued, that would help to rewrite history and erase the shame and the humiliation that my family felt for my uncle, a great hero,” she said.
Posthumous pardons are rare, but not unprecedented.
President Bill Clinton pardoned Henry O. Flipper, the first African-American officer to lead the Buffalo Soldiers of the 10th Cavalry Regiment during the Civil War. President George W. Bush pardoned Charles Winters, an American volunteer in the Arab-Israeli War convicted of violating the U.S. Neutrality Acts in 1949.
What a lame excuse President Obama gave below for not giving him a pardon. As you can read in paragraph above, other President's have given posthumous pardons. (emphasis mine)
Haywood had wanted Barack Obama, the nation’s first black president, to pardon Johnson, but Justice Department policy says “processing posthumous pardon petitions is grounded in the belief that the time of the officials involved in the clemency process is better spent on the pardon and commutation requests of living persons.”
The Justice Department makes decisions on potential pardons through an application process and typically makes recommendations to the president. The Justice Department’s general policy is to not accept applications for posthumous pardons for federal convictions, according to the department’s website. But Trump has shown a willingness to work around the DOJ process in the past.
.@realDonaldTrump pardons the late heavy weight boxing champion Jack Johnson who was convicted in an obviously racially motivated prosecution. Obama declined to pardon Johnson. Obama pardoned CONVICTED Bradley Manning who was convicted of aiding the enemy under ESPIONAGE ACT. pic.twitter.com/oQJco01ua7— David A. Clarke, Jr. (@SheriffClarke) May 24, 2018
The Democrats are okay with Bradley Manning convicted of AIDING THE ENEMY. Yet, have been harping about President Trump colluding with the Russian government for OVER A YEAR? There is no evidence whatsoever that President Trump colluded with the Russian government. And if you gave a crap about our national security, then why the hell do you praise Bradley Manning who is now called Chelsea Manning? She/He was sentenced to 35 years in prison for her crime against OUR NATION and Hollywood elites are making a movie about her and you Hollywood elites have her running for U.S. Senate in Maryland on the Democratic ticket. (emphasis mine)
— ABC News (@ABC) May 24, 2018Sylvester Stallone thanks Pres. Trump for posthumous pardon of late boxer Jack Johnson.
"This has been a long time coming." https://t.co/L6JZXwwHlP pic.twitter.com/kxSkAl22rf
“It ain't how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward,” -Rocky Balboa— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) May 25, 2018
Thank you @TheSlyStallone!!! pic.twitter.com/pzhJJzQ36g
The Los Angeles Times
written by Lance Pugmire
Thursday May 24, 2018
World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman looked around the Oval Office on Thursday and was shaken by the moment of late heavyweight champion Jack Johnson finally receiving his full presidential pardon.
"We're so happy. It's a victory for humanity, human equality and inclusion," Sulaiman said. "And it's a great day for boxing."
With Sulaiman, former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, current WBC heavyweight champ Deontay Wilder of Alabama and "Rocky" star Sylvester Stallone standing at his side, President Trump's action forgives Johnson of the racially charged 1913 conviction that led to a 10-month federal prison stay.
An all-white jury found Johnson guilty of violating the Mann Act, which made it illegal to transport women across state lines for "immoral" purposes.
Trump said Johnson's conviction for merely traveling to another state with a white woman was a racially motivated injustice.
"He was treated very rough, very tough," Trump said, pointing out that Johnson's prosecution and punishment came during a "period of tremendous racial tension in the United States."
The bold Johnson reigned as heavyweight champion from 1908 to 1915, defending the belt in the epic 1910 bout in Reno against "Great White Hope" James J. Jeffries by 14th-round technical knockout. He ultimately lost the title to Jess Willard in Cuba after fleeing the U.S. for several years following his conviction for crossing state lines with Belle Schreiber, a former prostitute with whom he had an ongoing relationship.
Johnson returned to the U.S. in 1920 to serve his sentence.
He died in 1946.
The treatment of Johnson by the legal system, along with his boxing heroics, made him a legendary popular culture figure, with biographies, the play and film "The Great White Hope," and a Ken Burns documentary emphasizing his importance as a civil rights figure.
"This was a long process that has been in negotiation for generations, and it was through the greatest ambassador of our sport, Sylvester Stallone, who went and closed the deal," Sulaiman said following the White House ceremony. "We're so happy."
After Trump said Stallone privately pushed for the pardon with no intention of fanfare, the boxing fan and Hollywood legend spoke.
"My inspiration for the Apollo Creed character [in 'Rocky'] was Jack Johnson, this bigger-than-life character," Stallone said. "His pride was taken away, but he still managed to persevere and keep a smile on his face.
"He's truly an inspirational character, so this has been a long time coming. It's an honor to take a fictional character and do something in reality."
Linda Haywood, Johnson's great-great niece, who pressed for the pardon of Johnson for years along with the support of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and former Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada, attended the ceremony.
Trump pointed out that his predecessor, Barack Obama, failed to grant the pardon. Obama previously cited Johnson's involvement in domestic violence for allowing the conviction to stand.
"The niece broke up, was very emotional and so thankful for this executive pardon that was long overdue," Sulaiman said. "It was a very emotional moment.
"From the first black heavyweight champion, Jack Johnson, to the current, Deontay Wilder, it was a magical event."
Hmm...๐ค President Trump seems to be profoundly failing at being a White Supremacist Nazi. This woman Jemele Hill, works for ESPN. She was just awarded the National Association of Black Journalists’ “Journalist of the Year” award.
Hmm...๐ค President Trump seems to be profoundly failing at being a White Supremacist Nazi. This woman Jemele Hill, works for ESPN. She was just awarded the National Association of Black Journalists’ “Journalist of the Year” award.
https://t.co/c00Z3Y2v44 remember when Obama was being petitioned to do this and passed on it? I do, so don't pretend yous don't.— Paul Malignaggi (@PaulMalignaggi) May 24, 2018
Paul Malignaggi is a 2-time world champion fighter, Showtime/CBS Boxing Analyst. Owner of @1FutureLegend Apparel & @MagicmanCustoms.
— Britt Johnson (@Iambrittjohnson) May 24, 2018Today Trump actually did a good thing! He pardoned my great great uncle #jackjohnson https://t.co/jqCJqF1cq4
Britt Johnson is a Sports Anchor/Reporter.
UPDATE 5/25/18 at 12:19pm: I've added tweet below. ๐
UPDATE 5/25/18 at 9:46pm: I've added tweets below. ๐Text message from my father, a registered Democrat.— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) May 25, 2018
Thank you @realDonaldTrump. Every week, a different member of my family begins to see the light. This has been the most successful first-year of any President in my lifetime. pic.twitter.com/dMV4tcau4t
Louis Farrakhan just endorsed Trump. https://t.co/21QTViE0xT— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) May 25, 2018
Mr. Trump is destroying every enemy that was an enemy of our rise. Who is the enemy of our rise? Is it the Department of Justice where we get none? Is it Congress where you make a law that favors us and then you turn around and destroy it? https://t.co/iK8VMI667b pic.twitter.com/Byk0Px2Avo— MINISTER FARRAKHAN (@LouisFarrakhan) May 25, 2018
I can't believe what I just heard, but, I'm glad I heard it! I've never agreed with u on anything Mr Farrakhan, but I do agree w/this! Ppl are coming to the realization they been lied to by our government & how #Trump is exposing our enemies and stopping them! I LOVE #MyPresident— Liberalism Is Foolishness (@NoJesusNoPeace1) May 26, 2018
We disagree on most things, but I'm glad you're seeing the light here. This is exactly Trump's intent. He sees the OVERALL injustice of the established gov orgs in this country and his goal is to blow it the fuck up and start over. He'll go down as the greatest Prez in history.— John Locke's brother Juan (@imfreespeechin) May 25, 2018
Please understand that the democrat's social justice business is just that, a business. They receive huge grants and donations, keep the money, and then turn around and give crumbs and keep the minorities in ghettos so they can keep making money off of them. Modern day plantation— Schwarz (@mastamune) May 26, 2018
Amen! Prime example- Maxine Waters! How does she keep getting re-elected?!— Free2BeMe23 (@thoughtsnstuff2) May 26, 2018
No I did I’m new to Republicans but changed parties once I realized nothing changed when we made history and said I’m done with democrats— qtpoppy (@qtpatty) May 26, 2018
This will be fun watching the msm demonize Farrakhan. How will they play this hand ???— Meme Galt (@MemeGalt) May 26, 2018
You're operating under the assumption that I think Farrakhan supports Trump. I don't, and neither do I support Farrakhan. But the fact he just told black Americans that @POTUS is helping them is not something to be dismissed out of hand because you don't like the messenger.— Sean K. Davis ✝️๐บ๐ธ๐ฎ๐ฑ (@Sean_K_Davis) May 26, 2018
I watched the video. I don't agree with his theology (yes, I know my savior didn't walk the earth as a white man btw), but his assessment of what the ruling establishment has done is nothing new to me. I've known how corrupt our government is for a long, long time.— Sean K. Davis ✝️๐บ๐ธ๐ฎ๐ฑ (@Sean_K_Davis) May 26, 2018
She didn't say it was a good thing; she said it is a big deal. It is a big deal because it signals a change.— DeAndre Jamal (@Akito__Tenkawa) May 26, 2018
minds blown— DeAndre Jamal (@Akito__Tenkawa) May 26, 2018
No comments:
Post a Comment