Malcolm X’s Estate Sues CIA, FBI, NYPD For Allegedly Conspiring In Civil Rights Icon’s Assassination
Malcolm X’s estate, represented by his family and legal team, has filed a lawsuit accusing the CIA, FBI, and NYPD of conspiring in the assassination of the civil rights leader nearly 60 years ago. The lawsuit, announced on Friday, claims that these agencies played a significant role in the 1965 murder of Malcolm X and participated in a long-running cover-up that denied the family justice.
Lawsuit Claims Government Agencies Facilitated Assassination
During a press conference at the Malcolm X & Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Educational Center in New York, the family’s attorney, Ben Crump, outlined the lawsuit’s key claims. The estate alleges that law enforcement agencies were aware of threats to Malcolm X’s life but failed to protect him. Security was removed from the Audubon Ballroom, where Malcolm X was killed, and federal and local authorities allegedly facilitated conditions that made the assassination possible. The lawsuit further claims that agents, including undercover operatives, were present during the assassination and took no action to intervene.
The Legacy of the Cover-Up
Crump emphasized that the cover-up, which spanned decades, hindered the Shabazz family’s ability to seek justice. “This cover-up blocked the family’s access to the truth and their right to pursue justice,” Crump said. The family has long criticized the lack of accountability for the events surrounding Malcolm X’s death, a sentiment echoed by former security team members who claim they were detained by the NYPD and FBI in a bid to ensure the assassination went unchallenged.
Malcolm X’s Assassination: What We Know
The details of Malcolm X’s assassination remain shrouded in controversy. Mustafa Hassan, who was at the scene, recalled seeing one of the attackers, Talmadge Hayer (later known as Mujahid Abdul Halim), flee after the shooting. Hassan claimed that despite his presence and testimony, law enforcement never interviewed him.
This echoes similar sentiments from former undercover NYPD officer Ray Wood, who in 2021 revealed in a deathbed letter that the NYPD and FBI had worked to undermine the civil rights movement and were involved in a conspiracy that led to Malcolm X’s murder.
Three men were initially convicted in connection with Malcolm X’s assassination, but only one, Talmadge Hayer, admitted his role. The others, Norman 3X Butler (Muhammad Abdul Aziz) and Thomas 15X Johnson (Khalil Islam), maintained their innocence for decades. In 2021, both were exonerated, and a $36 million settlement was reached with the state of New York for their wrongful convictions. The exonerations further fuel the belief that key figures in law enforcement were complicit in the murder, and the ongoing fight for justice continues.
Calls for Accountability and Transparency
Ben Crump has long been an advocate for transparency in the case, repeatedly calling for the release of all related documents and evidence. Despite growing pressure, the U.S. Department of Justice declined to re-investigate the assassination in 2011, and the fight for accountability continues. The lawsuit filed by Malcolm X’s estate is a significant step toward uncovering the full truth behind one of the most significant political murders in American history.
Looking Ahead: The Legacy of Malcolm X’s Murder
The legal battle surrounding Malcolm X’s assassination serves as a stark reminder of the unresolved questions surrounding his death. While the public, the family, and many activists demand justice, the case remains emblematic of broader struggles over race, justice, and accountability in America. As the estate presses forward with its lawsuit, the hope remains that the full truth will finally come to light.
