Malcolm X

by Clayborne Carson

.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

  UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

  Report of: [BUREAU DELETION]

  Office: New York, New York

  Date: 6/18/64

  Field Office

  Bureau

  File No. 105-8999

  File No. 100-399321

  Title: MALCOLM K. LITTLE

  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.

  BREAK FROM THE NOI

  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 10:00–10:30 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.

  Similar articles to that above appeared in the following newspapers:

  New York Journal American, March 27, 1964, page 1.

  New York Post, a daily newspaper published in New York, New York, of March 27, 1964, page 4.

  New York Herald Tribune, a daily newspaper published in New York, New York, March 28, 1964, page 5.

  The March 29, 1964 edition of the Chicago Sunday Tribune, a newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois, contained an article on page 20, which reflected that subject was not upset by his brother PHILBERT’s attack against him, and subject claimed that PHILBERT was using someone else’s words and was forced to make the statements he made.

  [BUREAU DELETION] of the NOI described subject as a traitor to ELIJAH MUHAMMAD who always wanted to be in the limelight and who left the NOI for personal gain. He further described subject as a disobedient follower who was not satisfied with being the Number Two man in the NOI.

  [BUREAU DELETION]

  The April 4, 1964 edition of The New Crusader, a weekly Negro newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois, contained an article by ELIJAH MUHAMMAD entitled “Mr. MUHAMMAD Speaks.”

  In this article subject’s break with the NOI was discussed. ELIJAH MUHAMMAD stated that subject disobeyed him by failing to keep quiet after his suspension, and when told he would have to remain quiet for a longer time subject went out on his own. ELIJAH stated in the article that he places his trust in ALLAH, while subject is going to trust himself. He then stated, “I am sorry for the poor fools who refuse to trust the god of the Honorable ELIJAH MUHAMMAD, and follow MALCOLM for self-victory.”

  AFFILIATION WITH THE MUSLIM

  MOSQUE, INCORPORATED

  On March 12, 1964, Special Agents of the FBI attended a press conference by subject in the Park Sheraton Hotel, New York City, from 11:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. which was attended by approximately sixty representatives of the press. At this press conference subject publicly announced the formation and incorporation of his new organization named “Muslim Mosque, Incorporated.”

  On March 16, 1964, [BUREAU DELETION] New York County, New York, New York, advised that on that date a Certificate of Incorporation was filed for the MMI pursuant to Article IX of the Religious Corporation Law of the State of New York. The certificate was filed under number 2330 for 1964. The certificate was executed on March 9, 1964, notarized on March 10, 1964, and filed on March 16, 1964 by EDWARD W. JACKO, JR., attorney at law, 217 West 125th Street, New York City.

  The certificate reflected that on March 9, 1964, in conformity with Section 192 of the Religious Corporation Law, a meeting to decide for incorporation was held at 23-11 97th Street, Queens, New York. Present at this meeting were MALCOLM X LITTLE, who presided, EARL GRANT and JAMES M. K. WARDEN. At this meeting it was decided to incorporate and the name chosen was “Muslim Mosque, Incorporated.” It was also decided at this meeting that there would be no less than three nor more than twenty-one trustees, and the meeting then proceeded to elect LITTLE, GRANT and WARDEN as its trustees to serve until the first Sunday of March, 1965. On that date a second election of trustees would be held, and thereafter a new election of trustees would be held on the first Sunday of each calendar year. The certificate further indicated that the principal places of worship were to be in the borough of Manhattan, New York County, New York.

  [BUREAU DELETION] that JAMES X (WARDEN) is a former FOI Lieutenant of NOI Mosque No. 7, New York City. In March, 1964, he went over to MALCOLM X’s new organization, the MMI, and he is MALCOLM X’s Chief Assistant.

  The above incorporation record of the MMI set forth its purposes as follows:

  (a) To provide a suitable place of worship for its members and others in accordance with the Islamic Faith.

  (b) To maintain a house of study for the advancement of the Islamic Faith and Religion.

  (c) To stimulate interest among the members in the formation, maintenance and the teachings of the Islamic Faith.

  (d) To publish textbooks, pamphlets, brochures, and to solicit, collect and in other manners raise funds for the hereinabove and hereinafter enumerated purposes.

  (e) To work for the imparting of the Islamic Faith and Islamic Religion in accordance with the accepted Islamic Religious principles.

  (f) To purchase, lease, acquire, sell and mortgage improved or unimproved real property and any interest therein.

  (g) The foregoing clauses shall be considered both as objects and purposes, and it is hereby expressly provided that the foregoing enumerated specific objects and purposes shall not be held to limit or restrict in any manner the powers of this corporation, but that this corporation shall be entitled to enjoy all the powers that a religious corporation may have under and by virtue of the Laws of the State of New York.

  RELATIONSHIP WITH CIVIL

  RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS AND LEADERS

  The March 11, 1962 edition of the New York Journal American, on page 2 contained an article which reflected that JAMES FARMER, National Director of CORE, and WHITNEY YOUNG, Head of the National Urban League, downgraded the influence in the Negro community of MALCOLM X and other black supremacists. They stated that the goals of MALCOLM X did not mesh with the overall civil rights effort since the latter are pledged to integration and not separation, and their modus-operandi is non-violence.

  The March 15, 1964 edition of the New York Herald Tribune, a daily newspaper published in New York, New York, contained an article which reflected that Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference denounced the suggestion of MALCOLM X that Negroes form rifle clubs to defend themselves as “a grave error” and an “inefficient and immoral approach.”

  The March 21, 1964 edition of The New Crusader, page 5, quotes New York Congressman ADAM CLAYTON POWELL as saying that MALCOLM’S plan to arm Negroes is “totally and completely wrong.” He predicted failure for MALCOLM since he is dedicated to separation, while the entire civil rights movement is for desegregation.

  The April 26, 1964 edition of the New York Herald Tribune contained an article on page 10, relative to the racial situation, by former professional baseball player JACKIE ROBINSON. In a prelude to the article, ROBINSON was described as a “loud and influential voice in the Negro battle for equal rights,” who is bitterly opposed to the forces fighting civil rights legislation in Congress, and equally opposed to irresponsible Negro leadership and tactics.

  In the article, Mr. ROBINSON wrote that he could not understand why the national “white” press, in reporting on civil rights and racial matters, persisted in “glorifying on their front pages the very persons they condemn in their editorials.”

  Mr. ROBINSON cited MALCOLM X as an outstanding example of this reporting and he then made the following comments on MALCOLM X:

  Mr. X, as he is projected by what we regrettably call the “white press,” doesn’t even exist. As Dick Gregory has said, Malcolm was “invented” by the people who edit big newspapers, control big television and radio and publish big newspapers and magazines.

  Malcolm has big audiences, but no constructive program. He has big words, but no records on deeds in civil rights. He is terribly militant on soapboxes on street corners of Negro ghettos. Yet, he has not faced Southern police dogs in Birmingham as Martin Luther King has done, nor gone to jail for freedom as Roy Wilkins and James Farmer have done, nor brought about creative dialogue between business and civil rights leaders as Whitney Young does daily.

  In fact, here is a man who has been exposed a
nd disowned by the very organization which he had so eloquently espoused-—the Black Muslims. In spite of all this, Mr. X receives more publicity in national media than is given to all the responsible Negro leaders we have mentioned above. White colleges flood him with speaking engagement offers. You can count on one hand Negro colleges which have invited him if there are any.

  It is the function of media to report, yes. But the Malcolm X image has been distorted rather than reported; distorted so that many whites imagine that Malcolm has a popular following; distorted so that a number of whites and colored people, more concerned with public attention than with civil rights, more hungry for headlines than for jobs and justice, have suddenly reached for mantles of leadership which they are not prepared to wear.

  MISCELLANEOUS

  B. Alleged Threat Against Subject’s Life

  The March 21, 1964 edition of the New York Amsterdam News contained an article on page 50 which reflected that subject claimed that officials at NOI Mosque No. 7 had tried to persuade NOI members that he was insane after his suspension in December, 1963. After these NOI officials believed they had turned enough NOI members against him, subject alleged that they sent a brother out to kill him in cold blood during February, 1964, but because truth was stronger than falsehood the brother did not believe the charge and instead of killing him told him of the plot and of the actions of NOI officials. Subject claimed that when he demanded an opportunity to refute these charges before NOI Mosque No. 7 his request was refused.

  [BUREAU DELETION] had no information to indicate that an attempt was ever made or contemplated against the life of subject by members of the NOI, and that subject had never made such a complaint [BUREAU DELETION].

  C. Association With Sports Figures

  The January 25, 1964 edition of the New York Amsterdam News contained an article on page 1 that subject and his family were in Miami during the past week, vacationing as the guests of Heavyweight Boxing Contender CASSIUS CLAY.