Malcolm X honoured on Smethwick plague.
Almost 50 years since his visit to Smethwick during racial tensions, Malcolm X has been honoured with a plague in the town.
The blue plague was revealed on the side of a house inMarshall Street, on the suggestion of the Nubian Jak Community Trust, which organisesBritain’s Black and Minority Ethnic national plaque scheme.
Spokesman Jak Beula told reporters, “It is an honour to be involved in commemorating Malcolm X with a blue plaque inBritainon the anniversary of his passing 47 years ago.
“As an international figure for civil rights his impact was felt far beyond the shores of the United StatesandAfrica.
“Indeed, one of his legacies was a contribution to the desegregation of residential housing in Smethwick.”
The Muslim civil right campaigner’s 1965 visit was part of a campaign in theMarshall Street, where white householders encouraged the council to buy the houses in order to prevent black or Asian families from moving in.
Malcolm X made the visit in February after holding the first meeting of the Council of African Organisation inLondon, but was assassinated nine days later inNew York. The father-of-six was shot during his speech at the Audubon Ballroom inHarlem.
Killer Thomas Hagan, who admitted his told in the murder, was released in parole from a New Yorkprison in April 2010.
Two other men were convicted with him, but Hagan insisted that they were not involved and were released in the 1980s.
Director Spike Lee made a biographical film based on the political figure was released in 1992, with Denzel Washington.
