Assata Shakur, fugitive Black activist who escaped life sentence for killing police officer, dies in Cuba
Summary
Assata Shakur, a Black liberation activist who was given asylum in Cuba after escaping a U.S. prison, has died in Havana. She was originally convicted for the murder of a police officer but maintained her innocence. Her case has been a point of tension between the U.S. and Cuba for many years.Key Facts
- Assata Shakur was originally named Joanne Deborah Chesimard.
- She escaped from a U.S. prison in 1979, where she was serving a life sentence.
- Shakur was convicted of murder, armed robbery, and other crimes.
- She was given political asylum in Cuba in 1984 by Fidel Castro.
- Her asylum in Cuba was a subject of tension between the U.S. and Cuba.
- The FBI listed her as one of its "most wanted terrorists."
- Shakur claimed she did not shoot anyone during the incident for which she was convicted.
- Her writings have been influential in movements like Black Lives Matter.
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