Assata Shakur, a Black Liberation Army activist who spent more than 40 years living in Cuba, has died at the age of 78. Getty Images
Assata Shakur, a well-known activist with the Black Liberation Army, died on Thursday in Havana, Cuba, at age 78. Cuba’s foreign affairs ministry announced her passing on Friday, citing health issues and “advanced age” as causes.
A Fugitive on the Run
Shakur, also called Joanne Chesimard, had been on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list for many years. She escaped from a New Jersey prison in 1979, where she was serving a life sentence. Shakur was convicted of murder related to a 1973 shootout that resulted in the death of a New Jersey state trooper and another activist.
Despite the conviction, Shakur always said she was innocent. She fled to Cuba in 1984, where the country’s then-president, Fidel Castro, gave her asylum. This move caused tensions between the U.S. and Cuba for decades.
Early Life and Activism
Born JoAnne Deborah Byron in July 1947, Shakur grew up between New York City and Wilmington, North Carolina. She was the step-aunt and godmother of the late rapper Tupac Shakur.
Shakur became politically active in college. She first joined the Black Panther Party, a group focused on fighting racism in America. The Panthers worked on social programs like schools and community services for Black people. The FBI kept close watch on the group, seeing it as a threat.
Later, Shakur joined the Black Liberation Army, a more radical group made up of former Panthers who believed in stronger resistance.
The 1973 Shootout and Trial
In 1973, Shakur was traveling with fellow activists when police stopped their car in New Jersey. A shootout broke out, leaving state trooper Werner Foerster and activist Zayd Malik Shakur dead. Assata Shakur was hurt in the exchange.
She stood trial for the trooper’s death but claimed she did not shoot him. Shakur also argued that the all-white jury was unfair.
In a 1998 interview recorded in Havana, she explained her escape from prison. “I was afraid for my life,” she said. “I would never receive justice in the U.S.”
Legacy and Influence
Shakur made history as the first woman on the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list. The FBI and New Jersey offered a $1 million reward for her capture.
Her name became famous in music, appearing in songs by groups like Public Enemy and rapper Common.
Family’s Message
Shakur is survived by her daughter, Kakuya Shakur, who shared her grief on social media. “Words cannot describe the depth of loss that I am feeling at this time,” she wrote.
