<img height="1" width="1" style="display:none" src="https://www.facebook.com/tr?id=192888919167017&amp;ev=PageView&amp;noscript=1">
Friday, March 29, 2024
March 29, 2024

Linkedin Pinterest

Senate urges Obama to pardon boxer Jack Johnson

The Columbian
Published: April 16, 2013, 5:00pm

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate has voted to urge President Barack Obama to pardon posthumously the first black heavyweight boxing champion, Jack Johnson, who was convicted a century ago of accompanying a white woman across state lines.

Johnson won the title in 1908 and two years later defended it against a white man, Jim Jeffries, sparking race riots. In 1913, an all-white jury convicted Johnson of crossing state lines with a white woman for “immoral purposes.” He was sentenced to a year in prison.

Relatives and supporters have long campaigned for Johnson’s exoneration.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and Arizona Republican John McCain say that a pardon would restore Johnson’s name and correct a historical wrong.

The Senate approved the measure by voice vote late Wednesday.

Loading...