Crump continued, “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. The truth of what happened and who was involved has always been critical.”
Photo Credit: Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images
Family of Malcolm X Files $100 Million Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against NYPD & Others
February 22, 2023
The family of Malcolm X has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the NYPD, New York state and federal agencies over his 1965 murder.
The descendants of Malcolm X want the NYPD, New York State, the FBI and CIA to pay up. On Tuesday (February 21), X's family announced plans to file a whopping $100 million lawsuit towards each entity, and additional government agencies, citing the mishandling of civil rights leader's 1965 assassination. Tuesday also marked 58 years since X's assassination.
A news conference was held on the same day at the Malcolm X and Dr. Betty Shabazz Memorial and Education Center, with X's daughter's Qubilah Shabazz, 62, and Ilyasah Shabazz, 60, as speakers. Accompanying the women was civil rights attorney, Ben Crump, all giving a “formal notice” of the legal action.
"For years, our family has fought for the truth to come to light concerning his murder and we'd like our father to receive the justice that he deserves," Ilyasah Shabazz said.
In 2021, $36 million settlement was met decades after the wrongful conviction of Muhammad Aziz and Khalil Islam, two men who were accused of murdering X. Crump referred to the settlement during the conference, saying, The rhetorical question is this: 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?”