Assata Shakur, the Fugitive Black Liberation Activist, Dies in Cuba at 78
Assata Shakur, a prominent figure in the Black liberation movement, has died in Cuba at the age of 78, according to her daughter and the Cuban government. The news comes as a surprise to many, given that Shakur had been living in exile in Cuba since her escape from a U.S. prison in 1979.
Shakur, whose real name was Joanne Chesimard, was a member of the Black Panther Party and the Black Liberation Army. She was serving a life sentence for killing a police officer during a traffic stop in New Jersey in 1973 when she escaped from prison in 1979. After her escape, Shakur made her way to Cuba, where she was granted political asylum by the Cuban government.
According to the Associated Press, Shakur's death was confirmed by her daughter, who asked that her name not be used. The Cuban government also released a statement confirming Shakur's passing and praising her as a "hero of the Black liberation movement."
Shakur's legacy is complex and multifaceted. While some view her as a hero who fought against racism and oppression, others see her as a fugitive who escaped justice for killing a police officer. The U.S. government has long sought to extradite Shakur from Cuba, but she was granted asylum by the Cuban government in 1984.
"Assata Shakur's death is a significant loss for the Black liberation movement," said Dr. Angela Davis, a prominent activist and scholar who knew Shakur personally. "She was a courageous and dedicated fighter for justice and equality, and her legacy will continue to inspire future generations."
The U.S. government has not commented on Shakur's death, but it is likely that there will be renewed calls for her extradition from Cuba in the coming days.
In recent years, there have been efforts to re-examine Shakur's case and the circumstances surrounding her escape from prison. In 2017, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed a bill into law that repealed a 1987 state law that had prohibited the use of state funds for any purpose related to Shakur's extradition.
Shakur's death marks the end of an era for the Black liberation movement, but it also serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for justice and equality in the United States. As Dr. Davis noted, "Assata Shakur's legacy will continue to inspire us to fight for a better world, where all people can live with dignity and respect."
This story was compiled from reports by NPR Politics and NPR News.
