New York, NY — Three daughters of the slain civil rights icon Malcolm X, along with his estate, have launched a $100 million lawsuit against the CIA, FBI, and the New York Police Department, alleging these agencies played a significant role in his 1965 assassination. The lawsuit, which was filed in Manhattan federal court, contends that these law enforcement bodies were complicit in the plot and failed in their duty to prevent Malcolm X’s death.
Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little in Omaha, Nebraska, and later known as El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz after converting to Islam, was a prominent African American leader who advocated for the rights and empowerment of black Americans. His assassination on February 21, 1965, at Manhattan’s Audubon Ballroom—where he was addressing several hundred people—has been mired in controversy and speculation for decades.
Attorney Ben Crump, representing the family, disclosed the details of the litigation at a news conference. Crump expressed a hope that the lawsuit would prompt federal and city officials to acknowledge and address the alleged misconduct of their predecessors to address these historical injustices.
The complaint suggests that malfeasance by the agencies involved led to the withholding of crucial evidence which directly impacted the integrity of the subsequent investigation and prosecution. This alleged suppression by the government has purportedly led to prolonged suffering and unanswered questions for the family of Malcolm X.
Adding to the complexity of the case, two of the three men originally convicted for the murder were exonerated in 2021 after a re-examination of the evidence suggested that previous trials were flawed and that certain pertinent information had been withheld by the authorities. This recent development underscores the ongoing uncertainties surrounding the circumstances of Malcolm X’s death and has further fueled skepticism about the official account of the events.
The lawsuit vividly details the emotional and psychological toll endured by Malcolm X’s widow, Betty Shabazz, and their children over the decades. It articulates a narrative of deception and sorrow faced by the family, stemming from not knowing the full truth behind Malcolm X’s assassination, including the extent of government involvement and the identities of the orchestrators.
Amidst these allegations, spokespeople for the Department of Justice and the implicated agencies have either declined to comment or have not responded to requests for comments.
This major legal action was first signaled by the family early last year, and it seeks to resolve historical grievances while spotlighting alleged governmental wrongdoing linked to a significant and turbulent period in American history.
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