Tupac Shakur‘s fugitive godmother, Assata Shakur, has passed away at the age of 78. The political activist died last week in Havana, Cuba.
Assata (born Joanne Chesimard) had lived in Cuba since 1984 after escaping prison and being granted political asylum.
The Black Liberationist was convicted in 1977 of killing a New Jersey state trooper. Health officials confirmed that health complications and old age were the cause of her death.
“At approximately 1:15 PM on September 25th, my mother, Assata Shakur, took her last earthly breath,” her daughter, Kakuya Shakur, wrote on Facebook. “Words cannot describe the depth of loss that I am feeling at this time. I want to thank you for your loving prayers that continue to anchor me in the strength that I need in this moment.”
She added, “My spirit is overflowing in unison with all of you who are grieving with me at this time. Sending much love and appreciation to you all.”
Assata was the first woman to be added to the FBI’s Most Wanted Terrorists list. FBI Director Kash Patel told people not to mourn her in a scathing post on X (formerly Twitter) on September 28th.
“Joanne Chesimard didn’t ‘fight for justice,’” he wrote. “She murdered New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster in cold blood, then fled to Cuba to escape accountability. The FBI never stopped calling her what she was: a terrorist. Mourning her is spitting on the badge and the blood of every cop who gave their life in service.”
In a letter, Assata once said, “At this point, I think that it is important to make one thing very clear. I have advocated and I still advocate revolutionary changes in the structure and in the principles that govern the United States. I advocate self-determination for my people and for all oppressed inside the United States.”
She continued, “I advocate an end to capitalist exploitation, the abolition of racist policies, the eradication of sexism, and the elimination of political repression. If that is a crime, then I am totally guilty.”
