Post by latrell on Feb 14, 2016 17:43:38 GMT
Malcolm X's home is firebombed in 1965
NEW YORK DAILY NEWS /
Saturday, February 13, 2016, 12:00 PM
Black Muslim leader Malcolm X surveys cement where one of two Molotov cocktails were thrown at his home, Feb. 14, 1965, in New York.
(Originally published by the Daily News on Feb. 15, 1965. This story was written by John Mallon.)
Malcolm X, the black nationalist leader who charges that Elijah Muhammad’s Black Muslims have been plotting against his life since he defected from their movement about a year ago, was bombed out of his home in East Elmhurst, Queens, early yesterday.
Malcolm X, 39, whose surname is Little; his wife, Betty, 37, and their four daughters fled to safety at 2:35 A.M. from their blazing one-family brick and shingle house at 23-11 97th St.
The house was severely damaged by a Molotov cocktail thrown through a living room window. Fragments of a second bottle bomb were found in the rear of the house.
Apparently the two Molotov cocktails were tossed at the same time, but the one at the rear merely smashed against the back door and failed to ignite.
Flee in Night Clothes
The New York Daily News published this in Feb. 15, 1965.
The family was asleep in three rear bedrooms when, according to Mrs. Little, “there was a conglomeration of strange sounds that woke us up.”
Malcolm X and his wife raced from their bedroom to an adjoining one occupied by Attilah, 6, Qubilah, 4, and Illyash, 2. Gathering the girls, they then went into a small bedroom and picked up Gamilan, 7 months. Still in their night clothes, the six escaped through the rear door. They spent the night with friends in Manhattan.
Jug Found in Bedroom.
The living room was ruined by smoke, flames and water. The five other rooms were damaged in varying degrees. A taxi driver turned in the fire alarm. The blaze was out by 3:05 A.M.
A gallon jug with some unidentified liquid still in it was found on a dresser still in the older girls’ bedroom. No one seemed to know how it got there.
Police officer inspects damage to home of Malcolm X.
He’s Not Surprised
Later, Malcolm X said, “I didn’t see anyone but I sensed there was someone out there. It could have been done by any one of many. I’m not surprised that it was done. It doesn’t frighten me. It doesn’t quiet me down in any way or shut me up.
“I intend to point out to the people of New York who I think is behind this and what will develop from it, if something is not done about it.”
Attempts on His Life
Asked if he knew any reason why his home should be bombed, he laughed. For the last year, ever since he left the Black Muslims to head his own black nationalist movement, he has been insisting Muhammad’s group has been conducting a reign of terror against, all those who either have left the movement or who are threatening to do so.
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Harry Harris/AP
Home of Black Muslim leader Malcolm X is damaged after two fire bombs sparked a flash fire, Feb. 14, 1965 in New York City.
Not long ago, he told a NEWS reporter of several recent attempts to do so.
“They almost got me in front of my house on July 5,” he said. “They didn’t try to use guns. There were four of them and when I got into my car, they rushed the car. I drove away, came back and got my rifle. By that time, they were gone.”
Last December, he said, 20 Muslims burst into a Haryou meeting in Harlem. The Haryou officials locked him in an office until the police could be called.
He asserted the “reign of terror” has been sparked by the Black Muslims’ dwindling membership — from a high of 100,000 in 1960 to less than 10,000 at present.
He said that in an effort to maintain the group’s strength, Elijah has been using a special enforcement unit of the Fruit of Islam movement to coerce all those threatening to dissociate themselves from the organization.
Ownership of the bomb-out Queens house — in a mixed neighborhood — has been a cause of dispute between the group for some time. The Muslims said it was bought for one of their leaders and Malcolm X is no longer a leader. He has refused to move out. The case is in the courts.
www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/malcolm-x-home-firebombed-1965-article-1.2529655