Three daughters of Malcolm X have filed a $100 million lawsuit accusing the CIA, FBI, New York Police Department, and others of playing roles in the 1965 assassination of the prominent civil rights leader. The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court, alleges that government agencies were complicit in a plot to kill Malcolm X and subsequently covered up their involvement.
Allegations of Government Conspiracy
The lawsuit claims that federal and local law enforcement agencies, including the NYPD and federal government entities, coordinated efforts that ultimately led to Malcolm X’s death. Attorney Ben Crump, representing the family and the Malcolm X estate, called on officials to confront the “dastardly deeds” of their predecessors and address the historical injustice.
Key allegations include Collusion with Assassins, The family asserts that government agents worked with those responsible for Malcolm X’s murder, facilitating the attack and suppressing evidence. Sabotage of Security, Days before the assassination, NYPD allegedly arrested Malcolm X’s security detail and intentionally removed officers from inside the Audubon Ballroom, where he was killed. Failure to Intervene, Federal undercover agents allegedly present in the ballroom did not act to protect him.
Historic Injustice and Legal Barriers
Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little and later known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz, was fatally shot on February 21, 1965, at the Audubon Ballroom in Manhattan while addressing an audience of several hundred people. Despite three convictions in the case, two men were exonerated in 2021 following a reinvestigation that revealed suppressed evidence.
The lawsuit claims the government concealed vital information for decades, preventing the family from pursuing justice sooner. This includes the identities of undercover agents and informants allegedly involved in the planning of the attack.
Family’s Pursuit of Truth
The lawsuit states that Malcolm X’s widow, Betty Shabazz, and his descendants have endured decades of pain and uncertainty. “The damage caused to the Shabazz family is unimaginable, immense, and irreparable,” the legal filing states.
The family first announced their intent to file the lawsuit in 2022. At Friday’s press conference, Crump said the case seeks to reveal the full extent of government involvement and accountability for Malcolm X’s assassination.
No Immediate Responses from Defendants
The CIA and NYPD did not respond to requests for comment, and the Department of Justice declined to comment on the ongoing litigation. The FBI stated it does not typically comment on pending lawsuits.
