The daughters of civil rights leader Malcolm X have initiated a $100 million lawsuit against the FBI, CIA, and New York Police Department (NYPD), alleging that these agencies were complicit in his 1965 assassination. The lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court, contends that the agencies were aware of and failed to prevent the plot to kill Malcolm X.
Attorney Ben Crump, representing the family, stated at a press conference that the lawsuit aims to uncover the truth about Malcolm X’s death and seek justice for his family. He expressed hope that federal officials would review the case to address and rectify past wrongdoings.
Malcolm X, whose real name was Malcolm Little, was a well-known civil rights activist and a former Nation of Islam spokesperson. He was assassinated on February 21, 1965, at the Audubon Ballroom in Upper Manhattan while speaking to several hundred people. The lawsuit alleges that the FBI, CIA, and NYPD had prior knowledge of the assassination plot and failed to act, thereby contributing to his death.
The NYPD and CIA have not immediately responded to requests for comment. The FBI stated that it is their standard practice not to comment on pending litigation.
This lawsuit is part of the family’s ongoing efforts to seek accountability and transparency regarding the circumstances surrounding Malcolm X’s assassination. In 2021, two of the three men convicted in connection with his death were exonerated after a re-examination of the case revealed that evidence had been withheld.
The family’s legal action underscores the enduring impact of Malcolm X’s legacy and the continued quest for justice in unresolved civil rights cases.
