In a remarkable turn of events, a member of Malcolm X’s security detail has come forward after 58 years, shedding light on the civil rights leader’s tragic assassination. Mustafa Hassan, now 84, broke his silence and made shocking claims about the NYPD’s involvement in the crime during a recent press conference at the cultural center in Manhattan’s Washington Heights district dedicated to Malcolm X.
Hassan, who was present during the assassination on February 21, 1965, at the Audubon Ballroom in the Washington Heights section, stated that he has never been interviewed by authorities about the incident. He revealed that he heard NYPD officers questioning if the man convicted of the murder, Thomas Hagan (then Talmadge X Hayer), was “with us.” Hagan was arrested immediately after the shooting and later confessed to firing the fatal shot.
Hassan’s affidavit alleges that the police officers seemed to protect Hagan, leading him to believe that the assassination was orchestrated by the NYPD. He described how the officers held back Malcolm X’s followers from attacking Hagan, implying that they wanted to help him escape. Hassan, determined to prevent Hagan from getting away, took action to restrain him.
The case of Malcolm X’s assassination resurfaced earlier this year when his daughters – Ilyasah, Attallah, and Qubilah Shabazz – announced their intention to sue the police over their father’s killing. Renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump, who is representing the daughters, plans to file a lawsuit against the NYPD and various government agencies. Crump alleges that evidence related to Malcolm X’s murder was fraudulently concealed by the authorities investigating the case.
Malcolm X, a prominent civil rights leader in the mid-20th century, rose to prominence as a charismatic spokesperson for the Nation of Islam. His fiery speeches and activism against racism and for black empowerment earned him a devoted following. However, his life ended tragically when he was assassinated during a public speech at the Audubon Ballroom.
Questions surrounding the assassination have persisted over the years, and some believe that government agencies, such as the FBI and the NYPD, may have been involved due to Malcolm X’s outspoken criticism of their practices. The recent revelations by Hassan and the efforts of Malcolm X’s daughters to seek justice shed new light on a historical event that continues to be clouded by mystery and conspiracy theories. As the legal battle unfolds, the hope for truth and accountability for Malcolm X’s untimely death remains a driving force for his family and supporters.
Written by
Derek Chan – Editor
