The anniversary of the assassination of Malcom X was on Sunday, February 21. Over 50 years have passed, the infamous event has been under scrutiny since day one. Concerned parties investigated and presented a breath of evidence that led to various possibilities, including the involvement of local and federal law enforcement.
Ray Wood was an undercover policeman during the heightened stages of the civil rights movement, he was sanctioned to enter the inner development of the organization headed by Malcom X. As Wood, rearing near to the days of his final breath, he wrote down his truth of his participation of the Assassination of Malcom X, he kept his involvement secret for over 56 years in fear of his life and the lives of his loved ones.
Wood unearthed striking evidence, confirming the involvement of a local branch of government and the FBI having a hand in the assassination of activist leader, Malcom X. This vital information resurrected the inquisition of his murder, causing the case to be re-open for full investigation.
Wood worked under the NYPD and according to his written statement, he also collaborated with the FBI. Their goal was to create a snag in the fabrics of the civil rights movement, resulting in the unraveling of events that would ultimately lead to social change across the nation.
According to the press release uncovered by activist lawyer, Ben Crump, Wood headed into his position with no training. He was given the mission to compromise civil rights organizations through encouraging leaders to make radical movement that would be seen as criminal acts.
Rendering increments of the letter released by ABC news, Wood wrote, “It was my assignment to draw the two men into a felonious federal crime, so that they could be arrested by the FBI and kept away from managing Malcolm X’s door security on February 21, 1965″ Wood continued, “… At that time I was not aware that Malcolm X was the target.”
In the preparation of the assassination, Wood was tasked to have “two key members” of Malcom X’s security arrested days before the murder took place, creating an opening for the activist to be exposed in the Audubon Ballroom.
Wood’s letter was delivered to Malcom’s three daughters and during the press conference that happened on Saturday, Reggie Wood, a cousin of the late NYPD officer, and administrator of Ray Wood’s estate, read the letter out loud. Wood’s letter was dated January 25, 2011.
According to History.com, Malcolm X was assassinated by “rival Black Muslims” while he was holding a meeting with his organization of Afro-American Unity at the Audubon Ballroom in Washington Heights. In the height of the movement, Malcom X became too powerful and was under high scrutiny by government.
History.com confirms that Malcom was under speculation by the FBI and they had various informants inside the Nation of Islam. Reports state that the informants knew about the plot to assassinate Malcom X. Wood’s statement navigates the assassination case to follow a federal trail.
The letter continued to outline that if Wood did not go through with his role in the assassination, he would be falsely attained for marijuana and alcohol trafficking charges. Rendering information from the previous listed above, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office confirmed the review of the case is “active and ongoing.”
According to ABC news, the NYPD provided a statement that any evidence about the case has been provided to the district attorney, “the department remains committed to assist with that review in any way.”
Huffington Post stated Wood shared his truth with his family when he first became ill with stomach cancer in 2011. During that reveal, Wood confided in his cousin, Reggie, to have a letter with his statement delivered to Malcom X’s family after Wood passes away.
Wood passed away in November 2011, and Reggie made the announcement public on Saturday, February 20 of this year. Reggie stated he held on to this information because he was cautious of what might happen to his family or himself.
He was joined by the daughters of Malcom X; Qubiliah Shabazz, Ilyasah Shabazz and Gamilah Shabazz, in addition to civil rights attorney’s, Benjamin Crump, Ray Hamlin and Paul Napoli. There is anticipation that more information would surface due to the exposure of this information.
Reggie Wood stated in an interview with ABC news, “He was a good man—he was tricked and forced to betray his own people and he felt guilt and remorse for that for 56 years.”
