Its a time for martyrs now: The family of Malcolm X announces a $100 million lawsuit against the NYPD, CIA, FBI, and more
Attorney Ben Crump leads a charge to hold local and federal authorities responsible
Malcolm X was a man who initially chose to only represent a selected few people, but after 12 years of doing so, he went about a dramatic transformation. That transformation turned Malcolm X into a greater representation of not only for a selected few, but a brotherhood of martyrs from various backgrounds working together for the betterment of the United States
On February 19, 1965, during an interview with Gordon Parks, Malcolm X said, “It’s a time for martyrs now. And if I’m to be one, it will be in the cause of brotherhood. That’s the only thing that can save this country.” Just two days later on February 19, 1965, Malcolm X was shot dead in a New York City ballroom while giving a speech.
Now 58 years later, the daughters of Malcolm X, Qubilah Shabazz and Ilyasah Shabazz, are now a representation of Malcolm X’s martyrdom, and they want to see those who are allegedly responsible for his death penalized.
Lead by the efforts of civil rights attorney, Ben Crump, an announcement was made on Tuesday that the Shabazz family is pursuing legal action by filing a $100 million wrongful death lawsuit against the New York Police Department, and other federal agencies for allegedly intentionally concealing evidence related to Malcolm X’s assassination.
In 1965, three men: Thomas Hagan, Muhammad Aziz, and Khalil Islam were arrested for the death of Malcolm X, but Aziz and Khalil have always maintained their innocence while Hagan has admitted his involvement in the assassination and expressed that Aziz and Khalil were never involved. In 1985, Aziz was released from prison and Islam was released two years later in 1987.
In 2021, both Aziz and Islam were exonerated for the murder of Malcolm X after an investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney discovered that evidence of their innocence was withheld from their trial. A year later in 2022, Aziz and the estate of Islam received a settlement for $26 million for their wrongful convictions.
Today, Hagan lives a quiet life after being released from prison in 2010.
