Standing with Ilyasah Shabazz in the Fight for Justice

Today, Ilyasah Shabazz and her sisters made headlines as they filed a $100 million lawsuit against the CIA, FBI, NYPD, and other agencies. The lawsuit alleges a conspiracy and negligence in the assassination of their father, Malcolm X, and it marks a pivotal moment in their decades-long pursuit of truth and accountability.

Having had the privilege of working with Ilyasah—who wrote the foreword to my book, Reimagining the Revolution—I have seen firsthand her courage and unwavering commitment to honoring her father’s legacy. Her actions reflect the same revolutionary spirit that defined Malcolm X’s life, and her determination to uncover the truth is nothing short of inspiring.

This lawsuit is not just a fight for answers about one of the most devastating moments in modern history—it’s a call for accountability from institutions that have long evaded responsibility. The allegations center on government agencies that were charged with protecting Malcolm X and instead may have played roles in his assassination or failed to prevent it. These agencies, including law enforcement, have a duty to uphold justice, not obstruct it.

Malcolm X’s assassination at the Audubon Ballroom on February 21, 1965, is a wound that has never fully healed. While two men were convicted for his murder, new evidence has cast serious doubt on their guilt and point to the complicity of law enforcement and federal agencies. The Shabazz family’s fight for justice is a demand that these institutions be held accountable—not just for their actions in the past but for the precedents they continue to set today.

The legacy of Malcolm X teaches us that peace is impossible without freedom, and freedom is impossible without justice. Law enforcement accountability is a cornerstone of that justice. The Shabazz family’s courage in bringing this lawsuit forward reminds us of the critical need to confront the failures of the very systems meant to protect and serve us.

Ilyasah’s strength and resolve inspire all of us to reflect on the importance of truth and systemic accountability in building a just society. As this case moves forward, it serves as a powerful reminder that the legacy of Malcolm X endures not only in the lives of his family but in the hearts of all who strive for justice and freedom.