FBI Director Kash Patel issued a sharp rebuke last week against those mourning the death of Assata Shakur, the controversial figure who died in Cuba on September 25, 2025, at the age of 78. In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Patel deliberately referred to Shakur by her birth name, Joanne Chesimard, emphasizing her criminal identity over her activist persona that some have celebrated following her death.
Shakur, who was convicted in 1977 for the murder of New Jersey State Trooper Werner Foerster during a 1973 traffic stop, escaped from prison in 1979 with help from the Black Liberation Army. She subsequently fled to Cuba, where Fidel Castro granted her political asylum in 1984. The FBI maintained a $1 million reward for information leading to her capture and consistently labeled her as a terrorist associated with violent radical groups.
After fleeing prison in 1979, Shakur found refuge in Cuba while the FBI labeled her a terrorist with a $1 million bounty.
“Mourning a terrorist who murdered law enforcement officers is an insult to every police officer who has sacrificed their life in the line of duty,” Patel declared in his statement, rejecting any notion that Shakur had been fighting for justice. His comments came amid a flurry of tributes from various activist groups, including the Democratic Socialists of America, who portrayed Shakur as a victim of systemic oppression and political persecution.
Cuban authorities confirmed Shakur died from health complications and advanced age in Havana, where she had lived under Cuban protection for over four decades. Throughout this time, the United States government, including former President Donald Trump, repeatedly demanded her extradition, which Cuba consistently refused. Some musicians have incorporated her story into their work, creating sync deals with filmmakers to spread awareness about her controversial legacy.
The death has reignited debates about Shakur’s legacy, with stark divisions between those who view her as a symbol of resistance and those who, like Patel and the FBI, emphasize her violent past and conviction. Several artists have created visualizers and promotional content across social media platforms to commemorate her life and political stance, further polarizing public opinion. Shakur became the first woman ever to appear on the FBI’s most wanted terrorist list, underscoring the government’s continued pursuit of her despite her exile. Shakur’s connection to the hip-hop world was further highlighted by her role as Tupac Shakur’s godmother.
Shakur has been referenced in various cultural works, particularly in hip-hop music, where her complex legacy continues to resonate despite—or perhaps because of—her controversial history.
