As the world marked the 100th birthday of Malcolm X on May 19, 2025, civil rights attorney Ben Crump, Malcolm X’s daughter Ilyasah Shabazz, and other activists gathered in Harlem to honor the iconic Black revolutionary and reignite the call for justice regarding his assassination.

Malcolm X: A Global Icon Silenced at 39

Malcolm X, born Malcolm Little in 1925, became a powerful voice for Black empowerment and human rights worldwide. His assassination on February 21, 1965, at the Audubon Ballroom in Harlem, shocked the globe and left many unanswered questions that persist to this day.

Decades later, his family continues to seek accountability from the U.S. government. “When I think of my father, most, he was such a young man,” said Shabazz. “He was in his twenties when the world learned of him—39 when he was assassinated.”

$100 Million Lawsuit Filed Against FBI, CIA & NYPD

In 2024, the family of Malcolm X filed a $100 million wrongful death lawsuit against multiple U.S. government agencies including the FBI, CIA, and NYPD. The lawsuit alleges these agencies conspired to facilitate his murder and intentionally withheld key evidence for decades.

Renowned civil rights attorney Ben Crump is leading the legal charge. “We continue to fight for justice for Malcolm X—by any means necessary,” said Crump. “We implore the federal government to release all the FBI papers on Malcolm X.”

Demands for Transparency: Will Trump Declassify Malcolm X Files?

This push comes amid increased demands for transparency from U.S. leadership. In January 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14176, directing the release of previously classified files related to the assassinations of John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

However, Malcolm X’s files remain sealed. His family is now calling on Trump to extend that order and fully declassify all government records tied to Malcolm X’s death as documented by Democracy Now.

Harlem Commemoration Draws Leaders, Celebrities, and Media Attention

The centennial celebration, held at the National Action Network’s House of Justice in Harlem, drew major media attention and appearances by influential figures such as Rev. Al Sharpton and New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Entertainment personalities, artists, and civil rights leaders came together to celebrate Malcolm X’s legacy and amplify the call for truth and justice. The event was widely covered by global news networks and trending across social media with hashtags like #MalcolmX100, #JusticeForMalcolmX, and #UnsealTheFiles.

Why This Matters for Global Audiences

The case of Malcolm X resonates beyond the United States. As a global figure, his life and teachings have influenced movements from South Africa to the Caribbean, the U.K. to the Middle East. The call for justice in his assassination is not just an American issue—it’s a global one.

The world is watching to see if the U.S. government will finally come clean about what really happened in 1965.