Nearly six decades after the assassination of Malcolm X, his family has filed a $100 million lawsuit against the FBI, CIA, and NYPD, alleging these agencies played a role in his death. The case, brought by three of Malcolm X’s daughters and his estate, aims to uncover the truth about the civil rights leader’s murder and hold these entities accountable for their alleged involvement and cover-up.
A Dark Day in Civil Rights History
Malcolm X was murdered on February 21, 1965, at the Audubon Ballroom in Manhattan while preparing to address a crowd. Three gunmen shot him 21 times, ending the life of a revolutionary voice for Black empowerment and justice at the age of 39. While one man confessed to the crime, speculation about broader conspiracies involving government agencies has gone on for decades.
The lawsuit alleges that the FBI, CIA, and NYPD were not only aware of the assassination plot but actively facilitated it. The family claims these agencies coordinated with Malcolm X’s killers and deliberately withheld crucial information that could have stopped the murder.
“Federal agents, including undercover operatives, were present in the ballroom but failed to intervene,” the lawsuit states, adding that NYPD officers intentionally withdrew from their posts at the venue. Additionally, members of Malcolm X’s security detail were reportedly arrested just days before the assassination, further compromising his safety.
Cover-Up and Suppressed Evidence
The family contends that a “corrupt, unlawful, and unconstitutional” relationship between law enforcement and Malcolm X’s assassins allowed the crime to go unchecked for decades. Attorney Ben Crump emphasized the extent of the alleged cover-up, stating, “The government’s fingerprints are all over Malcolm X’s assassination. We believe we have the evidence to prove it”.
The lawsuit further claims that key evidence, including the identities of undercover agents and informants, was deliberately held back. This suppression of information stopped Malcolm X’s family from pursuing justice earlier.
In 2021, two men convicted of Malcolm X’s murder were exonerated after new investigations revealed that prosecutors had withheld evidence that could have cleared them. This significant development reignited calls for accountability and transparency regarding Malcolm X’s assassination.
The two exonerated men later received a $36 million settlement from New York City and the state, underscoring the systemic failures in the original investigation.
Seeking Accountability and Reparations
The Shabazz family’s lawsuit aims to rectify these historic injustices, seeking not only financial reparations but also answers about the true circumstances of Malcolm X’s death. “This cover-up spanned decades, blocking the Shabazz family’s access to the truth and their right to pursue justice,” Crump declared.
The lawsuit marks a significant step in the Shabazz family’s enduring fight for justice. While the FBI and other agencies have declined to comment, the case brings renewed attention to one of the most controversial assassinations in American history. The family hopes that this legal battle will finally unearth the truth and provide a measure of closure for the pain and loss they have endured for nearly 60 years.
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