The leading candidate for mayor, Zoran Mamdani, hesitated to outright dismiss the admiration expressed for fugitive police officer Assata Shakur by some of his democratic socialist peers.
The progressive politician faced backlash after a controversial statement was shared online regarding Shakur, formerly known as Joanne Deborah Chesimado. Shakur escaped from prison while serving a life sentence for the 1973 murder of a New Jersey state trooper and had been living in Cuba until her recent death.
“We are committed to fighting for our freedom and honoring her legacy,” the group declared.
Mamdani appeared uneasy when questioned about the remark, focusing instead on his mayoral campaign. “I’m here to be the mayor of New York City. My responsibility lies with the people of this city,” he stated, emphasizing his priorities.
“My campaign is about making New York more affordable for everyone. That’s where my attention is,” he added, noting the unity among his supporters around this agenda.
Meanwhile, reactions from others, including New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy, criticized the Democratic Socialists of America for their comments, labeling them as shameful.
Shakur’s infamy stems from a violent incident on May 2, 1973, when she was involved in the killing of state trooper Werner Forster during a routine traffic stop. Convicted of murder and robbery in 1977, she escaped from a New Jersey prison in 1979 and managed to evade capture for decades.
Supporters have maintained that she was wrongfully accused of crimes.
Shakur passed away in Havana last Thursday at the age of 78, leading to further outrage, particularly from those who see her as a terrorist.
“She was a terrorist and a murderer,” commented Andrew Laufer, a New York-based civil rights attorney, expressing frustration on social media.
