Remembering Assata Shakur: Love, Sacrifice, Commitment

September 29, 2025

Assata Shakur, a former Black Panther Party and Black Liberation Army leader who escaped prison and lived in Cuban exile for nearly 50 years, has died on September 25, leaving a profound impact on activists who viewed her as a revolutionary symbol of liberation. Journalist Thandisizwe Chimurenga shared her personal grief on Black Press USA's "Let It Be Known" morning news show, highlighting Shakur's role as a "warrior queen mother" who inspired generations through her writings and famous declarations like "It is our duty to fight for our freedom. " While many admirers mourned her as a freedom fighter who remained free from the U.S. criminal justice system until her death, others, including FBI officials, continued to condemn her as a convicted murderer of a New Jersey State Trooper, reflecting deep divisions in how her legacy is perceived in America.

Who is affected

Assata Shakur's family, including her daughter and husband
Activists and supporters who viewed her as a revolutionary icon and symbol of liberation
The Black liberation movement and those inspired by her work
Journalists and commentators like Thandisizwe Chimurenga who had personal connections to Shakur
Law enforcement communities and those who view Shakur as a criminal

What action is being taken

People are mourning and discussing Shakur's death and legacy through various platforms
Journalists and media outlets are covering her passing and reflecting on her contributions
Supporters are uplifting her as a symbol of liberation and resistance
Critics, including FBI officials, are continuing to condemn her as a fugitive and murderer
Black Press USA is featuring discussions about her life and impact on their morning news show

Why it matters

Shakur was a significant figure in Black revolutionary movements whose autobiography and words shaped generations of activists
Her famous declarations became empowering chants during Ferguson protests and throughout the Black Lives Matter movement
Her case represents the complex and divided perceptions of revolutionary figures in American society
Her nearly 50-year exile in Cuba after escaping U.S. imprisonment symbolizes both resistance to and evasion of the American justice system
Her death marks the end of a historical chapter in Black liberation struggles and FBI manhunts

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer