On November 15, 2024, the daughters of Malcolm X took bold legal action against the FBI, CIA, and NYPD, filing a staggering $100 million wrongful death lawsuit tied to their father's assassination nearly six decades ago. This legal pursuit is not merely about financial recompense; it seeks to unravel the deep-seated conspiracy and alleged cover-ups surrounding the civil rights leader's murder.
The lawsuit, unveiled during a press conference at the historic Audubon Ballroom, where Malcolm X was shot, claims these prominent government agencies were not only aware of the plot to assassinate him but also actively facilitated it. Ilyasah Shabazz, Malcolm X's daughter, voiced the family's anguish, stating, "We suffer from the pain of the unknown. We want to know exactly who was involved, who conspired, and who covered up the truth of our father's assassination."
Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little, was assassinated on February 21, 1965, when he was shot 21 times by multiple assailants during a speech at the Audubon Ballroom, with his wife and children present. He was just 39 years old. His daughters, alongside their legal team led by the prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump, allege the FBI, CIA, and NYPD conspired to kill him due to his rising influence as one of America's foremost Black leaders and his outspoken resistance to systemic racism and oppression.
Crump stated, "We believe these agencies conspired to assassinate Malcolm X, one of the greatest thought leaders of the 20th century." This sentiment echoes the longstanding suspicions and theories surrounding government involvement in the civil rights movement and the targeting of its leaders through initiatives like COINTELPRO, the FBI's controversial surveillance program aimed at subverting political organizations considered radical.
The lawsuit also addresses how law enforcement allegedly suppressed evidence and impeded justice for Malcolm X's family for decades. According to the complaint, former NYPD informants and undercover agents had ample opportunity to prevent the assassination but chose not to intervene.
A key piece of the Shabazz family's case involves witness accounts, particularly from Mustafa Hassan, who alleged he saw NYPD officers aiding one of the shooters fleeing the scene. Lawyers argue there was grave misconduct, claiming officers at the scene neglected to take statements from witnesses, including Hassan, thereby hampering any substantive investigation.
During the press conference, Ilyasah Shabazz paid homage to her late mother, Betty Shabazz, who endured the trauma of witnessing her husband's murder. "My mother was pregnant with my sister when she came here to hear my father speak," Ilyasah said, adding poignantly, "She admired him so much, yet she witnessed this horrific event. It left our family shattered."
Adding another layer to the family's claims, the lawsuit mentions prior convictions of three men for the assassination. Muhammad Abdul Aziz and Khalil Islam were exonerated after decades of wrongful imprisonment. Aziz and the estate of Islam received $36 million as part of their compensation for wrongful conviction, highlighting the vast injustices surrounding the case.
Through this lawsuit, the Shabazz family hopes to lay bare the purported corruption and negligence of government agencies and bring to light their true involvement, painting it as not just historical revisionism but as necessary for moral clarity and accountability. Ilyasah Shabazz expressed hope for the path forward: "We believe every rock will be turned over until we get to the truth. This is our family's fight, and we are determined to bring to light what really happened to our father."
Despite the decades of uncertainty and lack of transparency surrounding Malcolm X's assassination, this legal action marks another chapter for the Shabazz family. By pursuing this lawsuit, they aim to reclaim their family’s narrative and advocate for historical accountability. Each step they take resonates within communities still reeling from the impacts of systemic racism and civil rights violations.
While the current lawsuit might not restore Malcolm X's life, it is about much more than financial gain; it is about justice, truth, and reclaiming their father's legacy. The Shabazz daughters are committed to ensuring the world knows what truly occurred on the day their father was murdered and, hopefully, bring justice not just for their family but for all who fight against oppression.
Legal responses from the implicated agencies remain pending, but as the Shabazz family prepares to present their case, public interest remains high. The incarceration of Aziz and Islam served as historical markers of injustice, and this lawsuit stands as another beacon for the fight against systemic inequity, urging society to continually reckon with its past.
What will the courts reveal as the Shabazz family delves deep to unearth the truth? Only time will tell, but their valiant effort to illuminate these shadows of history is sure to spark dialogue and perhaps inspire others to seek accountability for long-standing grievances.
