The family of Malcolm X has taken bold action by filing a $100 million lawsuit against prominent U.S. government agencies, including the New York City Police Department (NYPD), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), over the circumstances surrounding the civil rights leader's assassination back on February 21, 1965. This move aims not only at financial restitution but also seeks accountability and transparency linked to the long-held suspicions of governmental complicity in the activist's murder.
At the heart of the lawsuit is the family's belief, fueled by recent discoveries, which alleges these agencies coordinated efforts to conspire against Malcolm X, leading to his tragic death. The legal representatives believe they've uncovered evidence pointing to the involvement of law enforcement officials who, they claim, played significant roles both before and after the incident to cover up their alleged participation and negligence.
Ilyasah Shabazz, one of Malcolm X's daughters, voiced the emotional weight of this case during a recent press conference held at the former Audubon Ballroom, the very location where her father was assassinated. She highlighted the trauma her mother, Betty Shabazz, experienced upon witnessing the horrific events of the day. “My mother was pregnant when she came here to see her husband speak; someone who she just admired totally and to witness this horrific assassination of her husband...” she recalled, underlining the far-reaching pain inflicted on their family.
On the day Malcolm X was killed, he was shot multiple times before the horrified eyes of his family, with 21 bullets fired from various gunmen. He was only 39 years old at the time of his death. The lawsuit references how, just before the shooting, the NYPD had arrested Malcolm X’s security detail, purportedly removing any defense he had, even as undercover agents from federal agencies reportedly failed to act as protectors.
Leading the family's legal team, civil rights attorney Ben Crump emphasized the historical injustices and the apparent collusion between law enforcement and criminal elements culminating in Malcolm X's assassination. “It is not lost on us, as we pursue this case, how long justice has been delayed,” he stated. “The government's fingerprints are all over the assassination of Malcolm X and finally, we believe we have the evidence to prove it.”
The lawsuit argues there existed not just negligence but rather what they describe as “a corrupt, unlawful, and unconstitutional relationship” between law enforcement and the individuals responsible for Malcolm X’s death. The documents allege this relationship not only enabled the attack but actively concealed evidence and misled the public about the true nature of his murder.
New developments surrounding this case have emerged over the last few years, with various actors revisiting the narrative surrounding Malcolm X’s death. This includes exonerations for two men previously convicted for his killing, known as the “X” murder case. After fresh investigations indicated pertinent evidence had been withheld, these convictions were overturned, leading to renewed scrutiny over the events of 1965.
This lawsuit purportedly aims to dig even more deeply through the records, with attorney Jonathan Moore stating, “We will turn over every rock, we will open up every drawer, we will look at every file to get the truth about what happened to Malcolm X.” The action symbolizes not just the Shabazz family's pursuit of justice but also reflects broader societal calls for transparency and accountability from state institutions.
While the public awaits responses from the involved government agencies, the Shabazz family's pursuit centers on shedding light on decades of suspicion and purported misconduct surrounding one of America's most significant civil rights figures. They seek not only answers but the acknowledgment of systemic failures, emphasizing their belief in the enduring significance of Malcolm X’s legacy.
This lawsuit signifies the family's long-standing effort to garner justice for Malcolm X, encapsulating emotional, historical, and social dimensions. The Shabazz family's fight speaks to wider issues of racial equity, historical injustices, and the quest for truth, reflecting an enduring hope for resolution long after the violent and untimely death of their father.
