Malcolm X (34 page)
Authors: Clayborne Carson
Malcolm, speaking at a press conference in Harlem following his return from a trip to Africa and Mecca, said the pledges had been received from the heads of all the countries he visited. Among the nations on his itinerary were Ghana, Algeria, Nigeria, Morocco and Saudi Arabia.
The case to be presented to the world organization, he asserted, would compel the United States Government to face the same charges as South Africa and Rhodesia.
The United States, he asserted, has colonized the Negro people just as the people of Africa and Asia were colonized by Europeans. He described the American method as neo-colonialism.
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of any kind. It is the property of the FBI, and is a loan to your agency; it and/or its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.
New York, New York
June 9, 1964
Malcolm K. Little
Internal Security - Muslim Mosque, Incorporated
From 11:40
P.M
., June 8, 1964, to 12:30
A.M.,
June 9, 1964, subject was the guest on the “Barry Gray Show” over Radio Station WMCA, New York, New York. Prior to the interview of subject by Mr. Gray, the latter telephonically interviewed Alabama's Governor George Wallace.
In commenting on Governor Wallace, subject stated that he made no distinction between Governor Wallace and President Lyndon B. Johnson, except in their methods. Little also characterized the United States government as a racist government since the majority of all congressional committees are headed and dominated by congressmen from the South.
Subject spoke of his recently completed tour of Africa, describing it as the “greatest place on earth.” He stated he had toured Arabia, Egypt, Lebanon, Nigeria, Ghana and Morocco. In Arabia, he made the twelve-day pilgrimage to Mecca, where his outlook was broadened when he saw how belief in Allah by men of all races eliminates racial distinctions.
Little claimed that while in Ghana he met with the ambassadors there from Cuba and Communist China, both of whom gave dinners in his honor. He also addressed members of the Ghana Parliament and he impressed on all of these people the fact that racial discrimination in America is sponsored by the government.
This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
JUNE 16, 1964
TELETYPE
CODED TELETYPE
FBI NEW YORK
.603 PMSSS URGENT 6-16-64
TO DIRECTOR 100-399321
FROM NEW YORK 105-8999
MALCOLM K. LITTLE, IS-MMI.
RE NEW YORK TELETYPE SIX, FIFTEEN, SIXTY FOUR. [BUREAU DELETION]
[BUREAU DELETION] QUEENS COUNTY CIVIL COURT, ADVISED TODAY THAT EVICTION TRIAL BROUGHT BY NATION OF ISLAM /NOI/ AGAINST SUBJECT ENDED AT ONE THIRTY
P.M
. THIS DATE. JUDGE HAS RESERVED DECISION WHICH WILL BE HANDED DOWN AT UNKNOWN FUTURE DATE.
[BUREAU DELETION] ADVISED THAT APPROXIMATELY TEN MUSLIM MOSQUE INC. /MMI/ MEMBERS AND FIFTY NOI MEMBERS WERE PRESENT IN AND AROUND THE COURTHOUSE BUT THERE WERE NO INCIDENTS. ONE OF SUBJECT/S BODYGUARDS OBSERVED IN CAR OUTSIDE OF COURT WITH A RIFLE AND WAS CHECKED OUT [BUREAU DELETION]. HE HAD TWO UNLOADED RIFLES BUT NO AMMUNITION. NO ARREST MADE SINCE POSSESSION OF RIFLE IS NOT AN OFFENSE. IN SPITE OF ALLEGED THREATS TO SUBJECT HE HAS MADE NO REQUEST TO THE NYCPD FOR PROTECTION.
END
FBI WASHDC
Report of: [BUREAU DELETION] | Office: New York, New York |
Date: 6/18/64 | Â |
Field Office | Bureau |
File No. 105-8999 | File No. 100-399321 |
Title: MALCOLM K. LITTLE | Â |
Character: INTERNAL SECURITY - MUSLIM MOSQUE, INCORPORATED |
Synopsis:
Subject continues to reside at 23-11 97th Street, East Elmhurst, Queens, New York, and is founder and leader of the Muslim Mosque, Incorporated (MMI), with headquarters in the Hotel Theresa, New York City. Subject was a National Representative of the Nation of Islam (NOI) and Minister of NOI Mosque No. 7, New York City, until temporarily suspended by NOI leader ELIJAH MUHAMMAD on 12/4/63, for remarks made by the subject on 12/1/63 concerning the assassination of former President KENNEDY. The suspension was originally for ninety days, but was made indefinite in early March 1964, allegedly because of a power struggle within the NOI between the subject and NOI officials. The subject's NOI activities around the United States and his public appearances as an NOI representative are set forth. Interview with subject at New York City on 2/4/64 [is] set out. Subject broke with the NOI on 3/8/64, and on 3/12/64 publicly announced the formation of the MMI, an organization with Islam as its religious base and a political, economic and social philosophy of black nationalism, the subject outlined the ultimate aim of the MMI as the separation of races and the return of the Negro to Africa. The current aim is to work with civil rights groups to improve
conditions of Negroes in the United States, although the subject opposes integration. As MMI spokesman, subject claims Negro struggle should no longer be nonviolent, and he urges Negroes to practice self-defense if and when attacked. He also suggested on 3/12/64 the formation of rifle clubs by Negroes for self-defense in areas where Negroes are not protected by the government. Subsequently, the subject denied he was promoting or organizing Negro rifle clubs, only suggesting that it was legal to own rifles and shotguns and Negroes should do so to protect themselves and their homes, if necessary. He also urged Negroes to vote in order to control their own community politically. Activities and public appearances of subject as MMI leader around the United States [are] set forth. Subject is advisor to civil rights group known as ACT, and his relationship with some Negro civil rights leaders [is] set out along with comments by other Negro civil rights leaders who apparently reject him. Interests of WWP and SWP in subject and his MMI [are] set out. Also set forth is information on subject's arrest in New York City for speeding, alleged threat against his life and association with sports figures CASSIUS CLAY and JIMMY BROWN. Efforts by NOI in New York City to evict him from his residence are also set forth along with information on his trip to Africa and return in April and May 1964.
A. Break By Subject
The March 9, 1964 edition of the
New York Times
contained an article on page 1 which reflected that on March 8, 1964, MALCOLM X publicly announced that he had broken with ELIJAH MUHAMMAD and the NOI due to his continued suspension and that he would organize a politically oriented “black nationalist party.”
On March 12, 1964, Special Agents of the FBI attended a press conference held by MALCOLM X in the Park Sheraton Hotel, 7th Avenue and 55th Street, New York City. At this press conference MALCOLM X passed out a copy of the public statement
he issued on March 8, 1964, concerning his break with the NOI.
Editor's note.
In this public statement Malcolm attempts to make clear his position in regard to the much-publicized split between him and Elijah Muhammad. After praising Muhammad's wisdom and acknowledging Muhammad's wisdom and acknowledging Muhammad as his mentor, Malcolm states his ongoing concern for the twenty-two million blacks in America. “During this ninety days of silence,” reads Malcolm's statement, “I have reached the conclusion that I can best spread Mr. Muhammad's message by staying out of the Nation of Islam”; but, he adds, he will nevertheless remain a Muslim and abide by Muhammad's teachings as he understands them. His statement concludes with his assurance that he is not “trying to split the Muslims” and his advice that all Muslims “stay in the Nation of Islam under the spiritual guidance of Elijah Muhammad” and not desert their faith in order to follow Malcolm
.
Also at this press conference MALCOLM X passed out a copy of the telegram he sent to ELIJAH MUHAMMAD on March 11, 1964.
Editor's note.
The telegram emphasized Malcolm's assertion that he has not left the Nation of Islam of his own free will and that he has in fact submitted to pressures both from Captain Joseph in New York and from national officials. His present course of action, Malcolm feels, will help to preserve the unity of the Nation of Islam and the faith of Muhammad's followers. Malcolm then states that he has never criticized Muhammad or his family to the press and continues with an acknowledgment of Muhammad as his “leader and teacher,” to whom he gives “full credit for what I know and who I am.”
On March 9, 1964, from 10:00â10:30
P.M
., MALCOLM X appeared on the news commentary and interview program “The World At 10,” over TV station WNDT, Channel 13, New York
City, where he was interviewed regarding his split with the NOI. MALCOLM X explained that he was suspended (on December 4, 1963) for disobedience to ELIJAH MUHAMMAD as the result of his remark on the assassination of President KENNEDY, since ELIJAH MUHAMMAD had previously told him not to comment on the assassination. He stated the suspension was originally for ninety days, but he recently learned that the suspension would be for an indefinite time.
The March 14, 1964 edition of the
New York Amsterdam News
, a Negro weekly newspaper published in New York, New York, on page 1, contained an exclusive interview by that paper with MALCOLM X concerning his break with the NOI and the formation of the MMI.
In this interview, MALCOLM X charged that NOI headquarters in Chicago had been waging a power struggle against him that led to his suspension in December, 1963. The article quoted MALCOLM X as stating “they forced me to take the stand I am taking because I had to find a way to circumvent the forces in the movement that opposed me and at the same time to expedite Mr. MUHAMMED's program as I understand it.”
This article reflected that MALCOLM X's announcement to split with the NOI and form his own group was brought on by a letter he received on March 5, 1964, from ELIJAH MUHAMMAD, informing him that he was to remain on suspension for an indefinite time.
B. Reaction of NOI Officials
The March 10, 1964 edition of the
New York Journal American
, a daily newspaper published in New York, New York, contained an article on page 1 which reflected that NOI leader ELIJAH MUHAMMAD, in Phoenix, Arizona, was on the verge of tears when he heard of subject's break with the NOI and he declared, “I never dreamed this man would deviate from the NOI. My people are adapted to peace. They believe in peaceful solutions.”
The March 28, 1964 edition of the
Chicago Defender
, a daily newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois, contained an article on
page 1 captioned “Hit MALCOLM X As Judas.” This article indicated that PHILBERT X, NOI Minister in Lansing, Grand Rapids and Flint, Michigan, and a brother of subject, denounced subject as a traitor for breaking with the NOI and forming his own group. PHILBERT X stated he had brought his brother into the NOI ten years ago and he claimed subject's actions were caused by “resentment” over the suspension given him by ELIJAH MUHAMMAD. He described subject's new organization as “dangerous,” and he denounced subject as a BRUTUS, JUDAS and BENEDICT ARNOLD. He added that subject would do anything to gain mention and news coverage.