The Chicago Teachers Union, known for its progressive stance, honors women who were convicted of killing police officers in the 1970s.
On Friday, a social media update from the union featured an image of Assata Shakur, originally named Joan Deborah Chesimard, dubbing her a “revolutionary fighter.”
“We acknowledge the power of those who have gone before us. Today, we pay tribute to the lives and legacies of revolutionary fighters, prolific writers, and respected leaders in the black liberation movement who profoundly influence our ongoing struggle,” the union stated.
Referring to Shakur, the message emphasized her refusal to remain silent, quoting, “It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love and support one another. We have nothing to lose but our chains.”
Shakur, who had previously been on the FBI’s “most wanted” list of terrorists, died Thursday in Havana, Cuba, after struggling with health issues related to her advanced age.
The situation surrounding Shakur has often been problematic for U.S.-Cuba relations. American leaders, including former President Donald Trump, have pursued her extradition from Cuba for years.
In 1973, during a traffic stop in New Jersey, Shakur was involved in a shootout with police that resulted in the death of Officer Werner Foerster and injuries to a second officer. Foerster was shot during a violent altercation stemming from this incident.
Authorities sought Shakur for multiple felonies after the event. Although she managed to escape initially, she was later apprehended and charged with murder among other offenses.
In 1979, while serving a life sentence, Shakur escaped from the Clinton Correctional Facility for Women with the help of the Black Liberation Army, which staged an attack on the prison.
She resurfaced in Cuba in the early 1980s, receiving asylum from Fidel Castro.
In 2021, Assata Shakur was labeled a “social activist” by the Indiana University Department, which encouraged students to explore her writings. Her image has also been featured in a California Black Lives Matter mural, with reports noting that her words resonated with the movement.
