The daughters of Malcolm X have filed a lawsuit against the FBI, CIA, and the New York Police Department, accusing them of being complicit in the assassination of the civil rights leader in 1965. The lawsuit, seeking $100 million in damages, alleges these agencies were aware of the plot and did nothing to prevent it. The family claims that their decades-long search for the truth about Malcolm X’s death was obstructed by the suppression of key information. This legal action follows the exoneration of two men wrongly convicted for the murder, raising fresh questions about the involvement of government agencies.
In a significant legal move, three daughters of Malcolm X, the iconic Black activist and civil rights leader, have filed a lawsuit against the FBI, CIA, and the New York Police Department (NYPD).
“The suit, which was made public on Friday, accuses the agencies of playing a role in the assassination of Malcolm X, which occurred in 1965, and demands $100 million in compensation.”
The lawsuit is supported by the estate of Malcolm X, and the family’s claim focuses on the allegation that these law enforcement agencies were either aware of or directly involved in the plot to kill him.
Malcolm X was assassinated on February 21, 1965, at the age of 39 while delivering a speech at the Audubon Ballroom in New York City. Three men were initially convicted for his murder, but decades later, two of them—Muhammad Aziz and Khalil Islam—were exonerated after new evidence surfaced. In fact, Aziz and Islam had always maintained their innocence, and one of the convicted men, Talmadge Hayer, had confessed to the crime in 1966, though his confession was largely ignored at the time.
In a 2021 court ruling, the New York Supreme Court overturned the convictions of Aziz and Islam, describing the case as a “failure of justice.” The court cited new evidence showing that key witnesses had been intimidated and that crucial evidence had been suppressed during the original trial. Subsequently, the city of New York agreed to pay $26 million to the two men, and the state of New York also settled with them for $10 million in a separate lawsuit.
Despite the exoneration of these men, questions surrounding the actual perpetrators of Malcolm X’s murder have persisted for decades. In their lawsuit, the daughters of Malcolm X argue that the full truth has never been revealed. They claim that the FBI, CIA, and NYPD conspired to suppress evidence, obscure the role of government agents in the plot, and cover up the true identity of those responsible. The lawsuit describes the decades of anguish endured by the Shabazz family, saying, “Their entire family have suffered the pain of the unknown.”
The plaintiffs also accuse the prosecution team involved in the original case of actively suppressing the U.S. government’s involvement in the assassination. “The damage caused to the Shabazz family is unimaginable, immense, and irreparable,” the lawsuit asserts. This legal action marks a new chapter in the long battle for justice, with the Shabazz family now seeking accountability from those they believe were complicit in Malcolm X’s murder.
Malcolm X’s legacy as one of the most influential figures in the fight for Black civil rights in the United States is well-established. Born Malcolm Little in 1925, he rose to prominence after joining the Nation of Islam (NOI) while in prison for robbery. By the early 1960s, he had become one of the most outspoken voices against racial inequality, white supremacy, and systemic oppression in America. His fiery speeches and uncompromising stance earned him both admiration and enemies. In 1964, after leaving the NOI, Malcolm X embraced Sunni Islam and began calling for Black empowerment in a broader global context, challenging both American imperialism and capitalism.
The events leading up to Malcolm X’s assassination were marked by internal divisions within the Nation of Islam and increasing tension between Malcolm X and the leadership of the NOI, particularly Elijah Muhammad. These tensions, combined with Malcolm’s outspoken views, made him a target for various factions. Some have long suspected that the government was involved in his death, given his rising influence and the threat he posed to the status quo.
Now, more than five decades later, Malcolm X’s daughters are seeking justice for their father’s untimely death and the suffering endured by their family. They believe that the truth about his assassination remains buried, and their lawsuit aims to uncover that truth while holding accountable those they allege played a role in the plot. Their legal action also seeks to address the harm caused by the prolonged silence surrounding the case.
Malcolm X’s legacy continues to resonate with generations of Americans, particularly in the ongoing fight for racial equality and justice. As his daughters pursue legal action against the agencies they hold responsible, the case is bringing renewed attention to his life and the unanswered questions about his death.
While the road to justice may be long, the lawsuit signals a renewed determination to uncover the full truth about one of the most pivotal figures in American history. As the legal process unfolds, many are watching closely, hopeful that this will bring some form of closure to a chapter of American history that has remained shrouded in mystery for far too long.
