• Assata Shakur, a prominent Black liberation activist, died in Havana, Cuba, at 78 due to health complications.
• Born Joanne Chesimard, she was convicted in 1977 for the murder of a New Jersey state trooper but always maintained her innocence.
• Shakur escaped prison in 1979 and was granted asylum in Cuba, where she became a symbol of resistance for many.

Assata Shakur, a former member of the Black Liberation Army, died on September 25 in Havana, Cuba, at the age of 78 due to "health conditions and advanced age," according to the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Shakur, born Joanne Deborah Chesimard, had lived in exile in Cuba since her escape from a U.S. prison in 1979, where she was serving a life sentence for the murder of a New Jersey state trooper, Werner Foerster, during a shootout in 1973. Her daughter, Kakuya Shakur, confirmed the news of her death on social media, expressing profound sadness over the loss, according to ABC News and Los Angeles Times.

Shakur was convicted in 1977 of charges including first-degree murder related to the killing of Trooper Foerster during a traffic stop. In a case that drew national attention, Shakur was railed against in the media and by authorities, with the FBI placing her on its Most Wanted list. Shakur always insisted that she was innocent, arguing that she had her hands in the air during the shooting. Her trial was conducted in a highly charged atmosphere, leading many of her supporters to claim she was a victim of systemic injustice, according to CBS News and India Times.

After her escape from prison with the help of the Black Liberation Army, Shakur was granted political asylum in Cuba, where she became a prominent figure associated with resistance against racial injustice in the U.S. Over the years, she had a profound impact on activists and became a rallying point during movements such as Black Lives Matter. Her writings emphasized the need for solidarity and action for freedom and justice, reflecting the ideologies she championed throughout her life, according to Le Monde, NPR, and BBC.

Shakur's death has invoked varied responses; some view her as a hero, while others condemn her actions and the historical context of her case, highlighting the ongoing debates about race, justice, and accountability in America. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy and other officials commented on her passing without being held fully accountable for her crimes, reflecting the complex legacy she leaves behind, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.