Summary
Assata Shakur, an American Black liberation activist who lived in exile in Cuba, has died at the age of 78. Shakur, originally named Joanne Chesimard, was known for escaping a U.S. prison in 1979 after being convicted of killing a police officer and later lived in Cuba with political asylum.
Key Facts
- Assata Shakur was born Joanne Deborah Chesimard.
- She was a member of the Black Liberation Army (BLA).
- Shakur escaped from a U.S. prison in 1979, where she was serving a life sentence.
- She was convicted for the 1973 killing of a police officer in New Jersey.
- Shakur was granted asylum in Cuba in 1984 by then-leader Fidel Castro.
- The FBI later placed her on the "most wanted terrorist" list.
- She lived in Cuba until her death on Thursday, attributed to health issues and age.
- Shakur's case affected U.S.-Cuba relations, especially during Donald Trump's presidency.
