In a stunning legal move, three daughters of Malcolm X have filed a $100 million lawsuit against the CIA, FBI, New York Police Department (NYPD), and other entities, accusing them of playing a role in the 1965 assassination of their father. The lawsuit, filed in a Manhattan federal court, alleges that these agencies were not only aware of the plot to kill the civil rights icon but also actively participated or failed to prevent his murder.
Malcolm X was gunned down on February 21, 1965, while delivering a speech at the Audubon Ballroom in Manhattan. Three men were convicted in connection with his assassination. However, two of those men, Muhammad Aziz and Khalil Islam, were exonerated in 2021 after a review of new evidence revealed significant procedural failures and suppression of critical information during their trials.
The lawsuit, brought by Malcolm X’s daughters and the estate, aims to uncover the extent of governmental involvement in his assassination. Attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the family, expressed hope that the case will compel federal and city authorities to acknowledge historical injustices and take corrective actions.
At a press conference, Crump stated, “It’s about accountability. This lawsuit is not just about compensation; it’s about uncovering the truth and ensuring that history recognizes the wrongful acts of government agencies. These agencies were supposed to protect Malcolm X but instead contributed to his untimely death.”
Crump urged current officials to confront the misdeeds of their predecessors, stating, “We hope they learn from these historical wrongs and work to right them.”
The lawsuit names the CIA, FBI, NYPD, and other governmental bodies as defendants. It alleges that these entities either orchestrated or were complicit in the assassination plot. According to the filing, the agencies were aware of credible threats to Malcolm X’s life but deliberately chose not to act.
The lawsuit also highlights allegations of deliberate sabotage, such as infiltrating Malcolm X’s security team and suppressing critical intelligence. These claims echo sentiments expressed in the 2021 exoneration of Aziz and Islam, where Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. admitted that law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies had failed to disclose exculpatory evidence that could have cleared the two men decades ago.
The CIA, NYPD, and Department of Justice (DOJ) have declined to comment on the lawsuit. A spokesperson for the FBI noted that it is the agency’s standard practice not to comment on ongoing litigation.
The silence has done little to quell public interest in the case. Malcolm X’s assassination remains a pivotal moment in American history, and the allegations of government complicity have fueled longstanding suspicions of a broader conspiracy.
Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little, rose to prominence as a leader in the Nation of Islam before later breaking with the organization. Known for his fierce advocacy for Black empowerment and civil rights, Malcolm X became a target of intense surveillance and infiltration by federal and local law enforcement agencies.
In the years leading up to his death, he openly criticized systemic racism, government corruption, and the complicity of law enforcement in the oppression of African Americans. His growing influence and shift towards global human rights advocacy made him a perceived threat to the establishment.
The lawsuit seeks not only financial compensation but also transparency and accountability from the U.S. government. Malcolm X’s daughters argue that the full truth surrounding their father’s assassination has yet to be revealed and that only a thorough investigation can provide closure.
Legal experts note that the case could set a precedent for holding governmental agencies accountable for past misconduct. If successful, the lawsuit may compel the release of classified documents and further exonerate others wrongly convicted in connection with Malcolm X’s assassination.
The case also reignites public discourse around the U.S. government’s role in suppressing civil rights leaders during the 1960s. For many, it serves as a reminder of the lengths to which agencies went to dismantle movements advocating for racial justice and equality.
As the legal battle unfolds, Malcolm X’s daughters and their legal team are determined to bring long-overdue justice to their father’s legacy. As attorney Crump remarked, “This is about justice, truth, and the fight to ensure that those who seek to bring change are not silenced by the very systems meant to protect them.”
