Malcolm X's family is suing law enforcement in $100 million 'wrongful death' lawsuit alleging the CIA, FBI, and NYPD played a role in his assassination

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Malcolm X's family is suing law enforcement in $100 million 'wrongful death' lawsuit alleging the CIA, FBI, and NYPD played a role in his assassination
Malcolm X speaking at a rally.Bettmann/Getty Images
  • The family of Malcolm X is seeking $100 million in a wrongful death lawsuit.
  • The announcement was made on Tuesday, the 58th anniversary of Malcolm X's conspiracy-ridden death.
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The family of lauded civil rights activist Malcolm X announced that they are suing several law enforcement agencies for $100 million.

In a notice of claim document, Ilyasah Shabazz, Malcolm X's daughter argued that the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Central Intelligence Agency, and the New York Police Department "conspired with each other and with other individuals and acted, and failed to act, in such a way as to bring about the wrongful death of Malcolm X," according to The Associated Press.

The death of Malcolm X — the prominent Black nationalist, anti-capitalist, and American Muslim minister — has been a subject of conspiracy since the fatal shooting occurred in 1965. While three men were originally convicted of his death, but two — Muhammad Aziz and the late Khalil Islam — were exonerated in 2021 after spending decades behind bars. They also received settlements in late 2022 from New York City and the state of New York.

Mujahid Abdul Halim, the third man convicted in the assassination, has admitted to being part of the shooting.

In January 2020, the Manhattan District Attorney launched a 22-month investigation into Malcolm X's death where they discovered that the FBI and the NYPD suppressed information, including documents and the fact that undercover officers were present during his death, that may have acquitted Aziz and Islam, The New York Times reported.

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When asked by a reporter at a press conference on Tuesday if the family was accusing the law enforcement agencies of being involved in Malcolm X's assassination, attorney Ben Crump responded with: "That is what we are alleging, yes."

The press conference occurred on Tuesday, the 58th anniversary of his death, at the location of his death in Manhattan.

"If the government compensated the two gentlemen that were wrongfully convicted for the assassination of Malcolm X with tens of millions of dollars, then what is to be the compensation for the daughters who suffered the most from the assassination of Malcolm X?" Crump said, according to The Washington Post.

"We intend to have vigorous litigation of this matter, to have discovery, to be able to take depositions of the individuals who are still alive, 58 years later, to make sure that some measure of justice can be given to Malcolm X's daughters," Crump said. He added, "The truth of what happened and who was involved has always been critical."

His daughter echoed Crump's sentiment when she spoke at the press conference, per the Post.

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"The truth about the circumstances leading to the death of our father is important, not only to his family, but to many followers, many admirers, many who look to him for guidance, for love," Shabazz said, according to the Post.

Crump, the Department of Justice, and the CIA did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. The NYPD declined to comment.

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